The Chicago Bears made only one trade before the 2026 NFL deadline, acquiring All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans on October 29. The deal involved the Bears sending two first-round picks to the Titans. Despite speculation about further moves, the Bears chose to stand pat after this high-profile addition.
Simmons has immediately impacted the Bears’ defense. Through the first nine weeks of the season, he leads all interior defensive linemen with six sacks and tops the position with 48 total tackles. His Perfect Football Numbers (PFN) DT Impact grade of 100.0 ranks first in the league. Simmons has registered sacks in both of his games so far, providing the Bears with a significant boost.
Before the deadline, rumors linked the Bears to potential trades for cornerbacks and defensive ends. Khalil Mack’s name circulated frequently in trade talks, but the Los Angeles Chargers decided to keep him despite their 0-8 start. Ultimately, the Bears did not pursue further deals.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson commented on the team’s approach in the days leading up to the deadline. “I think Ryan [Poles] is doing a phenomenal job every day,” Johnson said. “He’s going through and seeing how we can improve this roster, what we need the most of. The coordinators are certainly talking every day right now, just with where their concerns lie within the roster. So we’ll see. We’ll see if there is another move or two to be made or if we stand put. I feel really confident about the guys we have in this locker room right now. And I think we’ve proven at this point that we can find a way to win each and every week with this group.”
General manager Ryan Poles has been active in shaping the roster, and the Simmons trade stands out as the most significant midseason deal the Bears have made so far this year. The decision to hold onto their current players for the remainder of the deadline period reflects confidence in the existing squad’s ability to compete.
The Bears’ defense now features Simmons as a dominant interior presence, and the team will rely on this upgraded front to push through the rest of the season. With no further trades announced, all eyes will be on how the roster performs on the field in the coming weeks.
According to Yahoo Sports.