Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles addresses the biggest challenge that follows after making the blockbuster trade for DT Jeffery Simmons
The Chicago Bears made a monumental trade on Thursday to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, and the aftermath of such a move will test this entire organization.
The Chicago Bears made a blockbuster trade on Thursday to acquire former Tennessee Titans All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. It was an uncharacteristic move for general manager Ryan Poles, who months ago turned down the opportunity to land another impact defender Maxx Crosby.
Thursday’s trade wasn’t much different. The Bears parted ways with two first-round selections along with a fourth-round pick to land Simmons and a fifth-round pick. That’s quite the haul, and the first time in NFL history in which a defensive tackle was traded for multiple first-round picks.
And yet, the Bears felt it was a necessary move for a variety of reasons. First, Simmons is a monster on the field. He’s one of, if not the, best defensive tackle in the game capable of taking over at any point. He’s also a well respected leader and will add a lot to the culture of this locker room.
General manager Ryan Poles also pointed to the belief the team has in the coaching staff under Ben Johnson and in quarterback Caleb Williams to warrant such an all-in move for one player.
All-in move for Jeffery Simmons was a logical move for where the Bears are, and now comes the hard part
Simmons is a game-changer, and exactly the kind of player the Bears needed on defense to contend for a Super Bowl. Yet, this is a Super Bowl or bust kind of move. The good news is that Simmons isn’t just a one-year rental in Chicago. He’s under contract through 2030 and will be a major benefit for the short and long-term outlook of this franchise. And the Bears have already built a really strong roster that they felt was one piece away.
“We’ve done a really nice job adding young talent through the draft. Really hitting our first-round picks and premier picks as well as some really cool picks that we’ve had throughout the draft,” Poles explained. “That’s added to our starters as well as our depth. That sets our foundation up to make a move like this.”
The challenging part now is how the Bears will continue to build the rest of this roster without first-round selections in the next two NFL drafts. Chicago is fully operating in the “F- those picks” mindset after making a trade like this, whether they admit it or not, a mentality that has heavy boom or bust potential as we’ve seen throughout the league in previous years.
“When you come to a big decision like this, you want to make sure that you’re not hurting the organization long-term just to have short-term gain,” Poles added. “…How can you continue to develop depth when you’re down a couple picks per year? I know it’s kind of a joke that goes around the ‘F- them picks’ is like a big thing. That’s really not what we’re about. I know it took a lot to get this done. But, we absolutely believe that the draft and bringing in young talent is a way that you sustain success around here. I’m challenging myself and our crew that for the picks that we do have, we have to hit.”
That’s where the track record for the Bears isn’t the best. Only one player drafted outside the first-round under Poles’ regime has received a contract extension, that player is cornerback Kyler Gordon. Although it’s worth noting Braxton Jones and Elijah Hicks received one-year deals after playing out their rookie contracts. Here’s the team’s non first-round selections under Ryan Poles before 2026 and who’s left on the team.
- Kyler Gordon
Jaquan BriskerVelus Jones Jr.- Braxton Jones
Dominique RobinsonZachary ThomasTrestan EbnerDoug KramerJa’Tyre Carter- Elijah Hicks
Trenton GillGervon Dexter- Tyrique Stevenson
Zacch Pickens- Roschon Johnson
Tyler Scott- Noah Sewell
Terell SmithTravis BellKendall WilliamsonKiran Amegadjie- Tory Taylor
- Austin Booker
- Luther Burden III
- Ozzy Trapilo
- Shemar Turner
Ruben Hyppolite IIZah Frazier- Luke Newman
- Kyle Monangai
That’s 13 out of 30 non first-round picks from 2022-2025 that are still on this team, and five aren’t starters right now. That’s what concerns me. That’s not a good track record. I’ll give Poles some credit with the hits in the UDFA process such as Tyson Bagent, Jahdae Walker, and Theo Benedet. But, the mid-late draft picks haven’t been great under his watch.
Yet, that’s the challenge Poles is putting directly on his shoulders with this kind of move. And how the Bears draft over the next two years will decide whether or not this deal was truly worth it for this franchise, not the impact Simmons will bring in the meantime.
