Defensive tackles have arguably never been as important in the NFL as they are right now. The Chicago Bears‘ recent trade just proved it.
On Thursday, the Bears went all-in as a Super Bowl LXI contender with a daring deal sending two future first-round picks (2027, 2028) and a 2027 fourth to the Tennessee Titans for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and a 2028 fifth.
As ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin noted, it marked the first deal involving two first-round picks being exchanged for a defensive tackle in the common draft era (since 1967).
The 2025 first-team All-Pro justifies the high price as arguably the league’s best interior defensive linemen. A season ago, he recorded a career-high 11 sacks. Through seven games in 2026, Simmons led defensive tackles in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate rankings.
But in recent history, teams have hesitated to part with multiple firsts to acquire talent outside of a few prominent positions, including quarterback, blindside tackle, defensive back and edge-rusher. The last few seasons have shown, however, that defensive tackles are just as integral in the Super Bowl picture. And by adding Simmons, the Bears have one of the league’s best interior line duos.
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