Fallout From Jeffery Simmons Trade

The Titans-Bears blockbuster caught many off guard, perhaps including Simmons. When discussing his future on Wednesday, the 29-year-old said (via Jim Wyatt of the team’s website): “I haven’t heard anything from my agent, I haven’t heard anything from this organization. As far as I know, I am going to be here.”

It appeared that would be the case, as insider Jordan Schultz reports that the Titans had not made Simmons available over the past couple of weeks. However, the wheels began to turn when San Francisco beat Chicago to the punch to acquire defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Colts on Tuesday. Buckner was on the Bears’ radar, but they “didn’t feel comfortable” meeting the Colts’ asking price for him, according to Schultz. That left Buckner for San Francisco, which surrendered a 2027 fourth-rounder in exchange, and led Bears general manager Ryan Poles to make a far more aggressive move for Simmons.

There were up to three other teams that called the Titans about Simmons, per Schultz, but the Bears came out on top. Since he became the Titans’ GM in January 2025, Mike Borgonzi said there had never been any previous attempts to trade Simmons (via Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com). But after Poles made his offer on Wednesday night, Borgonzi talked it over with head coach Robert Saleh and owner Amy Adams Strunk and decided trading the franchise icon for a significant haul would be the right move. 

“It was really hard. I don’t think Jeff wanted to leave here,” Borgonzi said Thursday (via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times). “I think it’s also a great opportunity for him, too, as I told him. To go someplace here and have an opportunity to compete, now, for the Super Bowl.”

The Bears won the NFC North last year and have gotten off to a 5-2 start this season, but they felt the need to pay a huge price to upgrade their pass rush. As Courtney Cronin of ESPN points out, the Bears have recorded the league’s fourth-lowest pressure rate (25%) with four or fewer rushers since last season. They’re a similarly underwhelming 23rd in interior pass rush win rate this year. Enter Simmons, an eight-year veteran with 46.5 career sacks (including a personal-high 11 in 2025 and four this season). Simmons ranks first at his position in pass rush win rate in 2026, and if that continues, it should give Chicago a major boost.

The Bears are going for a championship, whereas the 1-6 Titans are in contention to finish with the league’s worst record for the third year in a row. With that in mind, Simmons may not be the last veteran the Titans part with before the Nov. 10 deadline. While Borgonzi said he hasn’t picked up the phone regarding any of his other players (via McCormick), that could change in the next couple weeks.