With the trade deadline creeping closer, the Chicago Bears have become a natural landing spot in the rumor game, and one name keeps coming up: Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
It makes sense on paper. Chicago already went after Indianapolis Colts linemen Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner before each was dealt to NFC West teams, and losing Buckner stung the most because defensive tackle is a clear need. That’s why Simmons has jumped to the front of the conversation, especially with Tennessee sitting on just one win.
Still, Bears general manager Ryan Poles can be expected to make the call, but that does not mean a deal is waiting on the other end.
Simmons has backed up the hype on the field. He has 38 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, nine quarterback hits, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery this season - production that has him on track for another All-Pro nod. He’s also built out a strong resume already, with four Pro Bowls, two second-team All-Pro selections, and a first-team All-Pro honor last season.
But when Simmons was asked about the trade chatter, he didn’t sound like a player angling for a move.
"Each and every day I wake up, my goal is just to be where my feet are at. Never looking ahead, just be in the moment," he told reporters.
"Each and every day, from game day, my goal is never changing. I don't worry about the things that I can't control.
Those type of things are also a distraction. That's a lot of fans and outside media.
I haven't heard anything from my agent. I haven't heard anything from this organization.
As far as I know, I'm gonna be here. I could be that type of guy to say, 'I want out,' or I could be the type of guy to stay here in my leadership and everything to help turn things back around."
For Chicago, the appeal is obvious. A player like Simmons would upgrade the defensive front in a hurry.
The issue is that Tennessee has little incentive to move him now. The Titans just signed Simmons to a three-year, $105.8 million extension before training camp, and dealing him only a few months later would make little sense from their side.
Simmons is 29, so this is not a door the Bears have to slam shut forever. But if Chicago is dreaming about pairing him with its defense, that dream may have to wait a year or two.
For now, the Bears do have alternatives if Simmons stays put. Grady Jarrett and Kentavius Street have been solid enough on the roster, though neither brings the kind of game-changing juice Simmons does.
Grover Stewart is another name linked to Chicago, and the Bears could look his way after missing on Nelson and Buckner. Stewart has 22 tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, one pass deflection, and a half-sack, and at 33, he could help the rest of the season while Chicago looks for a longer-term answer in the offseason.
Another possible path is Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne, who stands out as the best trade target given Washington’s 1-4-1 record. If the Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, that possibility gets tougher. If they lose again, Chicago should be making the call on the 29-year-old.
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