With about two weeks to go until the trade deadline, the Chicago Bears are at the center of the rumor mill, with one name coming up a lot: Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
The Bears were in the running for two Indianapolis Colts players, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, before trading each to NFC West teams. Losing Buckner hurt most; Chicago felt it, as a defensive tackle is a position of need.
That's why the focus has shifted to Simmons as a possible target, since the Titans have only one win this season. Bears general manager Ryan Poles will be aggressive and make the call, but don't expect a deal to be struck over the phone.
Jeffery Simmons would be nice for the Bears, but that trade won't happen
Simmons has been a beast this season, posting 38 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, nine quarterback hits, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Those are the kind of numbers that put him on pace for another All-Pro selection.
Speaking to reporters, Simmons addressed the trade rumors surrounding him. He doesn't sound like someone who wants to leave Tennessee.
"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."
Poles would be crazy not to call the Titans about Simmons, at least. This defender has been a Pro Bowler four times, a second-team All-Pro twice, and a first-team All-Pro last year.
The problem is that a trade of that magnitude wouldn't make sense for the Titans. Tennessee just gave Simmons a three-year, $105.8 million contract extension before training camp. Selling him after giving him so much money for just a few months doesn't make sense for the Titans.
Simmons is 29, and Tennessee still has plenty of time to explore a future trade to Chicago. The Bears might have to wait a year or two before cashing in on that dream.
If Jeffery Simmons isn't an option at DT, then what is next for the Bears?
Chicago has many decent defensive tackles on the roster, including Grady Jarrett and Kentavius Street, who have held their own. Those guys, though, are not game changers like Simmons.
With Simmons potentially out of the picture, the Bears won't have many options to trade for a defensive tackle who can impact the team right now. Still, they will have options.
They missed out on Nelson and Buckner in a trade with the Colts, but they could instead turn to Grover Stewart, another name connected to the Bears. Stewart has 22 tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, one pass deflection, and a half-sack. He's a 33-year-old veteran, but he could fill in the rest of the season if Chicago finds a long-term solution in the offseason.
Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne is arguably the best trade target given, given Washington' 1-4-1 record. If they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, a trade for Payne becomes less likely. Another loss, though, and Chicago should call about the 29-year-old.
Tampa Bay might have a couple of interesting defensive tackles who could be trade candidates: A'Shawn Robinson and Vita Vea. The Bears were interested in Vea before he signed his contract extension, so a trade seems unlikely unless the Bucs lose the next two games. Robinson is more likely to be traded away and could be a good option for the Bears.
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Simmons most likely won't happen, but the Bears have plenty of other options. It'll come down to Poles getting it done and striking a deal.
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