He did it. Ryan Poles did it.
The Chicago Bears general manager actually went out and made a massive trade as he landed defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans.
What's even more significant is the fact that this deal happened well before the NFL trade deadline was set to pass, and potentially in time for Simmons to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Widely regarded as the top defensive tackle in the NFL, Simmons is playing the best football of his career and, now, he'll be doing it in Chicago, instead of Tennessee where the Titans are fully embracing a rebuild.
The official terms of the deal:
Let's unpack this, now, a little, shall we?
Two first-round picks feels too rich, unless Bears win a Super Bowl
A pair of first-rounders is a hefty price to pay. It is going to be viewed as an overpay from Poles, by some, but in the end this proves that Poles is all-in on a Super Bowl. And that's what matters most.
The Bears' first-round picks will very likely be in the bottom few picks of the order, if all goes according to plan. So, this isn't like Chicago trading away top-tier first-round picks.
Still, this is very reminiscent of the Khalil Mack trade, except the state of the team is far different than it was in 2018.
The Bears now have the quarterback. They have the coach. They have the offensive talent across the board. And, their defense has even played better than expected.
If they win a Super Bowl, then the sacrificing draft capital will all be worth it.
The Bears clearly believe in Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy
Without Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo, recently, the Bears have seen some big-time sparks from both Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy. Their play has almost made it as if the Bears might not have needed to go after a pass rusher at the deadline.
As it turns out, they went hard after Simmons, who actually killed two birds with one stone. Simmons' 4.0 sacks this year put him on a pace similar to his career-high of 11.0 last year. But, better yet, he will require enough attention from the interior that it'll open up more opportunities for the ends like Sweat, Odeyingbo (when healthy), Booker, and Hardy.
The deadline hasn't passed yet, but it's hard to imagine Poles making another deal for a significant pass rusher. So, the coaching staff clearly has faith in the likes of both Booker and Hardy as pieces of this pass rush.
Booker has 4.0 sacks on the season while Hardy has notched 1.5 in his last two games.
Jeffery Simmons makes Kyler Gordon even better from Day 1
Speaking of Simmons allowing less pressure on other players, Kyler Gordon fits into that group as well. With such a dominant force like Simmons on the inside, it is going to give Dennis Allen the unique ability and pleasure to continue to unleash Gordon on those slot corner blitzes.
If you thought Gordon was a problem on these blitzes before, wait until you see the offensive lines try to account for Simmons. It's going to give Gordon even more free rein.
Gordon might even end up sniffing double-digit sacks this season. Look out.
The Simmons trade should signal a cornerback move
This trade clearly means the Bears are going all-in on a Super Bowl. We've already established that. So, with that in mind, do the Bears think this cornerback room is enough to win it all?
Absolutley not.
This move means Ryan Poles is as serious as he's ever been about winning right now, so banking on Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, in any capacity, is off the table. Malik Muhammad looks like a solid starter on the outside, but Chicago needs another one.
If we're talking big, bold moves, then Dennis Allen cannot be afraid to send Stevenson and Johnson to the bench.
Read more: Bears vs. Seahawks Week 8: Injury updates, predictions, storylines and more
Even if it means making an underrated move like trading for Nahshon Wright, who isn't being used by the New York Jets, that's something. The Bears need to add depth in their secondary. That's the next step.
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