Two First-Round Picks for Jeffery Simmons: The Titans Officially Start Over

Titans fans, this one stings. The face of the defense for seven seasons is a Chicago Bear.

Our Take: It hurts to lose a captain like Jeffery Simmons, but two first-round picks for a team sitting at 1-6 is the kind of return that can actually rebuild this roster. The Titans had to take it.

Per the team's official site, Tennessee receives the Bears' 2027 and 2028 first-round picks plus a 2027 fourth-rounder, while Chicago gets Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Jim Wyatt notes Simmons was a 2019 first-round pick who was named to four Pro Bowls and was a five-time captain. Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk thanked him "for how you played, how you led, and how you represented our team."

In a follow-up on the team site, general manager Mike Borgonzi said the Titans were not looking to deal Simmons until Bears GM Ryan Poles called with an offer he could not refuse. Borgonzi said he talked it through with coach Robert Saleh and Strunk before the clubs agreed.

What to watch: Sunday at Cincinnati, see how the interior holds up without Simmons drawing double teams. And keep an eye on the Bears' record, because every Chicago loss makes those picks better.

Sources: Titans: Offer They Couldn't Refuse, ESPN