Bears GM Ryan Poles on the Decision to Trade for All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Ryan Poles has always stayed consistent in his philosophy when it comes to trading for players. Before any move is made, the Chicago Bears' general manager must consider the short-term and long-term impact

And the organization must ask itself questions and have answers. 

How would a big move impact the team going forward? Can the organization sustain being a championship caliver team or does a potential trade take them out of that? If one of those questions can't be answered, it could hurt the organization in the long term. 

Well, after careful consideration of all the variables, the Bears ultimately made the decision to trade for start defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Chicago traded away two first-round picks (2027 and 28) and a fourth-round pick in 2028 to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Simmons and 2028 fifth rounder. 

It's a steep price, one that will limit the Bears' opportunities to select high talent in the next two drafts, but Poles shared his thinking of how this deal came to fruition. 

It starts with having alignment, which Poles believes is more rare than some would think across the league. He feels he has that with president and chief executive office Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey. The player also must embody this 

"You do this type of move when you have a combination of impact player on the grass as well as someone that can enhance your culture as well," Poles said. "I don't think it can be either/or when you talk about a move of this size. You need to have both and that's what Jeffery does. We believe he is going to impact us at a high level on the grass but also in the locker room too."

Simmons has been a captain the last five seasons for the Titans and was named the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year club winner the last three seasons. 

Having a strong foundation is another important factor in executing this trade. Poles believes the team has added young talent through the draft, hitting on premium picks. The Bears' general manager also likes how the staff has identified talent post draft, making up a part of the Bears' roster. 

Of course, head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams play major roles as well. 

“And then I would say the last thing is just tremendous amount of belief in our head coach and coaching staff," Poles said. "You don't do that if you don't have that. A lot of hope and belief in our quarterback and the path that he's on as well. That makes you feel really comfortable with making a decision like this. And then our player development program, which we don't talk about enough: How can you continue to develop depth when you're down a couple picks per year? That group has done a great job getting our guys prepared to step up and step into certain situations."

Another important factor the Bears' GM highlighted was Simmons' contract. The Titans extended him and the bonus money has been paid, making this a deal that gives the Bears control through 2030. 

Poles shared during his opening statement that the team had been discussing the possibility of acquiring Simmons for the last two years, dreaming of what he could add to the Bears' organization. 

Since he entered the league in 2019, Simmons has wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, ranking first in the league among defensive tackles since 2025 in sacks (15), tackles for loss (23) and turnover caused by pressure (6).

Simmons becomes an instant multiplier for Chicago's defense, allowing defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to use his rolodex of creativity when formulating defensive game plans. 

Defensive end Montez Sweat played with Simmons for two seasons at Mississippi State. Simmons should help Sweat as he returns back from a two-game suspension for a PED violation. The newest addition to the Bears' defensive line will also provide a clearer picture on Sweat's standing with the team next season.

"Yeah, for sure," Poles said. "That’s why I really believe that closest path to the quarterback, to the ball, is inside, and oftentimes that will open up some things on the outside for your guys. Yeah, just talking with Montez, he’s locked in, ready to go. This is one of his guys and I think he elevates his game, being around Jeffery. That’s our expectation. I think that’s the expectation he has for himself as well."

As for expectations for the Bears, Poles said the "all-in" narrative was already present way before the team traded for Simmons. 

"From the moment we started training camp this year we were all-in," Poles said. "Go talk to Ben right now in his office and he’s all-in on this week. I don’t see it as some move that is gonna hurt us long-term. Is it going to bring about constraints? 100 percent. But that’s where we have to have our processes and systems in who we extend, who we pay in free agency, hitting our draft picks. Do you move up? Do you move back? All those factors come into play. I feel like we’ve taken the time to really detail this out where it’s something that can help us tremendously early as well as down the road."