Chicago Bears fans had reason to celebrate even before the NFL trade deadline passed, as general manager Ryan Poles wanted to go get Jeffery Simmons far ahead of time in order to help this team win games as quickly as possible.
But, this fan base was hoping for more.
The Bears' clear weakness, after the Simmons trade, was within their secondary. They watched other teams, around the league, execute deals to bring in defensive backs, before the deadline passed.
Unfortunately, Poles and the Bears failed to make any more deals. The team will now have to move forward with Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Malik Muhammad as their outside corners, with the first two not inspiring a whole lot of confidence.
- Grading the Bears' trades at the deadline
- Bears' future draft picks after 2026 NFL trade deadline
- Bears' depth chart following the trade deadline
- Impact of the Jeffery Simmons trade on upcoming schedule
Grading the Bears' trades at the deadline
The Jeffery Simmons trade is an easy grade
When the Bears initially announced the trade for defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, it was easy to think they gave up more than enough. Some might have even called it an overpay.
However, after just two games and seeing what Simmons can do, and how much he elevates everybody around him, the "overpay" label is as good as gone.
Simmons has made a drastic difference to this group and, quite frankly, the team as a whole. The Bears' realistic outlook is now to go win the Super Bowl, period. That's it.
That's what Jeffery Simmons has done for this entire organization.
Grade: A
Grading Ryan Poles' lack of a cornerback trade
The Bears didn't do anything else at the deadline.
They're banking on Jaylon Johnson to somehow bounce back and become a fraction of what he once was. Did Johnson's pick-six against the Bucs somehow divert Poles from going out and landing another veteran cornerback?
I sure hope that wasn't an influential reason.
If Muhammad is healthy, the Bears have a fighting chance with the rookie showing signs of growth, this year.
But, if things are left to either Johnson or Stevenson in big moments, that's a massive risk to take if you're Poles.
Grade: D
Bears' future draft picks after 2026 NFL trade deadline
2027 Bears draft picks
The Bears' first-round pick in 2027 goes to the Titans, of course, from the Simmons trade. They also gave up their fourth rounder in that deal, as well.
Round 2
Round 3
Round 5 (via ATL)
Round 6
Round 7
Chicago's fifth rounder in 2027 goes to New England as it was traded for current starting center Garrett Bradbury.
2028 Bears draft picks
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 5 (via TEN)
Round 6
Round 7
Like the 2027 crop of picks, the Bears are short of a first-round selection due to the Simmons trade.
The Bears got an extra fifth-round pick in return from Tennessee, along with Simmons, so Ryan Poles was able to at least net some added capital while parting with a bunch.
2029 Bears draft picks
Bears' depth chart following the trade deadline
Bears' defensive line depth chart after the Simmons trade
DE: Montez Sweat, Daniel Hardy
DT: Grady Jarrett, Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg
DT: Jeffery Simmons, James Lynch
DE: Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, Shemar Turner
The one notable tidbit, here, is that Dayo Odeyingbo is not yet back from injury. But, he should be coming back before the end of the season. When he does, this Bears defensive line is going to have the privilege of utilizing guys like he, Simmons and James Lynch all over the front, with their versatility.
Impact of the Jeffery Simmons trade on upcoming schedule
After the bye week, here's a look at the Bears' remaining schedule:
Week 11: New Orleans Saints
Week 12: @ Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)
Week 13: Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 14: @ Miami Dolphins
Week 15: @ Buffalo Bills (Saturday night game)
Week 16: Green Bay Packers (Christmas Day)
Week 17: Detroit Lions
Week 18: @ Minnesota Vikings
The easy analysis, here, is just how much Simmons will be able to impact the Bears' remaining matchups within the NFC North. Ben Johnson has one major flaw, and that's that he cannot seem to figure out how to beat the Packers, Vikings or Lions on a regular basis.
Simmons' ability to wreck games will help against a quarterback like Jordan Love who is currently red-hot. The Packers' offensive line still stinks, even though they've attempted to re-tool. Simmons is going to be a major, major factor in the second Bears-Packers matchup of the season.
Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff and Josh Allen are having outstanding seasons, as well. Without Simmons, the Bears would have to score 40 points to win any of those games. Now, they've got a completely different outlook when facing a trio of top-10 passers.
As for the team's lack of adding a cornerback at the deadline, Chicago only faces one current top-10 passing attack in the Lions -- but they face them twice.
We'll see how much the secondary hurts them in those two matchups.
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