The Chicago Bears are not a complete football team. They have clear flaws that fans were aware of as far back as the start of the offseason. There were lingering doubts about the strength of the running back room, and even more about the defensive line. Even after the additions of Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett, those feelings have not changed. Jarrett is already dealing with a knee injury, while Odeyingbo has done nothing to show he deserved the considerable contract the Bears gave him.
Montez Sweat, their highest-paid player, has one sack in four games. He’s been a disappointment. The Bears desperately need somebody who can invigorate the group. Maybe Austin Booker can provide a spark when he returns from IR, but that feels like wishful thinking. A more aggressive move could be the only answer, and insider Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated believes one possibility exists that would benefit them in multiple ways. The price tag would be steep, but worth it.
Proposed trade: Second-round pick to Titans for DT Jeffery Simmons
The Bears are all in with Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson. There’s no turning back, so they might as well make a splash move like this one.
The arrival of Simmons would immediately improve the Bears’ defense, which needs pass rushers and run stoppers. Simmons excels in both areas and could form a dominant duo with edge rusher Montez Sweat. For years, the Bears’ defense has done the heavy lifting. Now that the offense is showing signs of improvement, the defense has regressed. Simmons can help balance out Chicago’s problems this season.
Simmons is everything the Chicago Bears could want.
He’s had at least five sacks in every season since 2021, which is really good for an interior pass rusher. He already has two sacks and seven quarterback hits this season despite playing on an awful Tennessee Titans defense. That team is 0-4 and floundering. It feels like they might be the worst in the NFL again, with head coach Brian Callahan on the hot seat. A possible reset could be coming under new GM Mike Borgonzi. To do that, he’ll need draft capital. He and Ryan Poles worked together in Kansas City for years. Working out a deal for Simmons wouldn’t be too difficult.
The primary challenge for the Chicago Bears is financial. Simmons carries a hefty $22.9 million salary cap hit. That goes up to $25 million next year and $28 million in 2027. The good news is the Bears would control him for the next two and a half seasons. They have some possible moves they can make to clear the cap space. Do they believe adding him would make them playoff contenders? It’s an interesting discussion.
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