Chicago Bears emerge as potential suitor for Titans’ superstar defender

NFL trade season is officially upon us after yesterday’s blockbuster moves, as the Chicago Bears missed out on a pair of All-Pros that were sent to NFC contenders.

DeForest Buckner was moved back to the San Francisco 49ers, and future Hall of Fame guard Quenton Nelson was sent to the Seahawks. The Colts are having a fire sale, and many teams plan to take advantage. It was reported that the Bears were interested in both, but came up short in the end.

According to multiple sources, the Bears are aggressively trying to add talent before November 10th’s trade deadline. An interior defensive lineman or EDGE rusher is a position of interest, and there’s a big market for the two.

Mike Ginnitti of Spotrac.com released a story today about a few “not-so-crazy” blockbusters that could happen. He highlighted the Bears getting an elite interior lineman from the Tennessee Titans, Jeffery Simmons.

“The Bears have been identified as potential “aggressive” buyers at the deadline, with the defensive line/edge expected to be a focal point. Simmons just signed a 3-year, $106M extension this past June, but the Titans are backsliding, and the draft compensation that should be in play for a move here could be a key to their eventual turnaround.”

Simmons, 29, is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL and is Tennessee’s best player. Over the course of his eight-year career, Simmons has racked up 46.5 sacks and 72 tackles for loss. He’s the key cog on an otherwise poor defense and has remained an elite player at his position since entering the league in 2019.

The Bears would acquire Simmons at 5 years, $124M remaining, including practical guarantees through 2029. Tennessee would take on dead cap hits of $14.1M this season and $21.2M for 2027. What it would take to get Simmons is another question.

Should the Chicago Bears trade for Jeffery Simmons?

The best part about this deal would be Simmons’ age. He’s just 29 years old, and he wouldn’t be considered a rental, but rather a key part of a growing defense. Financially, the Titans would take the dead cap hits for the next two years. However, after that, the Bears would be responsible until 2030. In 2028, he’ll make $29.8 million, and in 2029, he’ll make $28 million.

If the production is there, that wouldn’t matter a bit. The compensation for Simmons would likely require two picks, with one of them being a second or third-rounder. Tennessee is still in full rebuild mode and may need to get whatever they can from Simmons until it’s too late.

However, some think he’d warrant a first-rounder, which may be too much.

The Bears recently called the Titans inquiring about star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Simmons would likely cost a 2027 1st for Tennessee to relinquish their best player before the trade deadline.

Chicago has been extremely aggressive looking for defensive line upgrades. pic.twitter.com/GRDb663Hph

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 28, 2026

Ginnitti says Grover Stewart of the Colts would be another option, a less flashy one, if you will. He’d likely cost a considerably smaller amount of compensation and could play a similar role.

There’s still plenty of time before the deadline, so the worry meter should be low right now. The Bears are going to be aggressive, but they must remain patient and not overpay for talent as they have in the past (thanks, Chase Claypool).

With other names like Khalil Mack and Josh Sweat on the market, they may pivot as the cost won’t be as detrimental.

More: Chicago Bears set to face future Hall of Famer in Week 8 after blockbuster trade

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