Allen Park — Two days after the Indianapolis Colts traded away a pair of starters for future draft compensation, the Chicago Bears made a stunning deal for Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on Thursday.
A first-team All-Pro a year ago, and a four-time Pro Bowl selection, Simmons is arguably the NFL’s best at his position. He’ll bolster a Chicago defense that has allowed 4.4 yards per carry and a 102.8 passer rating against to begin the 2026 season.
But the price to bring on Simmons was steep. The Titans were able to ask for a premium for the the 29-year-old defender given he’s under contract through 2030 after signing a three-year extension this offseason, and they’re eating the $20 million signing bonus that was attached to that pact.
Ultimately, it costs the Bears two first-round picks, on top of a swap of Day 3 selections, with the Titans getting a fourth and the Bears receiving a fifth in return.
That’s just shy of what the Green Bay Packers paid to acquire Micah Parsons last season. The difference is Parsons was three years younger than Simmons, and the Packers had to absorb the full brunt of an market-resetting extension, which was awarded to Parsons after the deal.
It will likely be at least a couple years before we can assess whether these moves will pay off for the Bears and Packers. However, it’s worth asking the question, how often do player trades involving first-round picks achieve the desired result.
Factoring in Thursday’s trade for Simmons, there have been 31 trades involving players for at least one first-round pick the past 10 years, not including a swap of first-rounders. There was also one deal for a coach that included first-round compensation.
Let’s look at that recent history to understand how often the aggressive strategy pays off.
Too early to say
● Chicago Bears receive DT Jeffery Simmons and a fifth-rounder
● Tennessee Titans receive two firsts and a fourth
A first-round pick in 2019, Simmons has been a force since his second season in the league. Across the past five and a half seasons, he’s tallied 41.5 sacks, 299 quarterback pressures and eight forced fumbles, while playing above-average run defense.
● New England Patriots receive WR AJ Brown
● Philadelphia Eagles receive a first and a fifth