Bears' Jeffery Simmons trade gets a C from ESPN as NFL deadline frenzy grows
ESPN gave Chicago a C for the Jeffery Simmons trade and called it an overpay, while the 7-2 Bears weigh more moves before Tuesday's deadline.
The busiest stretch of the NFL trade market has put the Chicago Bears' biggest move of the season back under review. In ESPN's running deadline report card, analytics writer Seth Walder gave Chicago a C for acquiring defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from Tennessee. The Titans got an A.
The price has not changed since the deal was announced by the club late last month. Chicago sent its 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-rounder to Tennessee and received Simmons and a 2028 fifth. Walder does not question the player. He rates Simmons as the best defensive tackle in the league, noting that he leads interior linemen in pass rush win rate and had 11 sacks last season. He also calls Simmons a major upgrade on an interior rotation that had been leaning on 33-year-old Grady Jarrett and a group of veteran journeymen. His objection is to the cost. Simmons is 29, is under contract through 2030 and is due $27 million in 2027 and $29.8 million in 2028. In ESPN's view, two first-round picks bought better odds in 2026 and perhaps 2027 at the expense of the seasons after that.
The Simmons grade stands out more next to Monday's moves. Jacksonville received an F for giving Philadelphia a 2027 first and a 2029 second for nose tackle Jordan Davis. Walder argued the Bears at least got an elite pass rusher for their premium picks. Jacksonville also acquired safety Jessie Bates III from Atlanta, and Detroit, a division rival, added safety Andre Cisco from the Jets for a 2028 sixth-rounder while it waits for Kerby Joseph to return. ESPN graded the Lions' side of that trade a C.
Chicago may not be finished. The deadline is 3 p.m. Central on Tuesday. The Chicago Sun-Times reported the team could use depth at defensive end and cornerback, and has been linked to corners Riq Woolen and Nahshon Wright and to former Bear Khalil Mack. Coach Ben Johnson said he is comfortable with the current roster and added, "We'll see if there is another move or two to be made."
What it means for the Saints game
So far, the results support Chicago's side of the trade. The Bears are 2-0 since Simmons arrived, winning 34-17 at Seattle and 27-24 over Tampa Bay on Sunday night. They beat the Buccaneers despite five turnovers, and the Sun-Times reported four of them were Caleb Williams interceptions. At 7-2, Chicago has won four straight since a 31-7 loss at Green Bay. The Bears have scored 241 points and allowed 184, a margin of plus-57, and they are 4-1 at Soldier Field. The lone home loss was a 9-3 game against Minnesota.
Chicago is on its bye this week and returns Sunday, Nov. 22, against New Orleans on Fox. The Saints acted as sellers before the deadline, sending defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to Jacksonville for a 2028 sixth-round pick. ESPN described the move as a sensible choice for a team without real hopes of contending.
Against a team like that, the bigger question for Chicago is its own ball security. The defense covered for five giveaways against Tampa Bay, and the Bears will likely need a cleaner game from the offense to keep pace in the NFC North.