Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Bears give up to get Jeffery Simmons?
The Bears traded two first-round picks along with a late-round pick swap, sending a 4th rounder to get a 5th rounder back. Ryan Poles felt the opportunity to add an All-Pro defensive tackle alongside Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson was too good to pass up.
Does Ryan Poles plan to keep focusing on the NFL Draft after trading away two first-round picks?
Yes, Poles made it clear the Bears have not abandoned their draft-first philosophy. He said the team must hit on every pick they do have, nail their undrafted free agent process, and maximize whatever tier of free agency they can work in.
Has Ryan Poles ever managed an NFL Draft without a first-round pick before?
Yes, his very first draft with the Bears in 2022 came without a first-round pick, as his predecessor Ryan Pace had traded it to New York for Justin Fields. Poles responded by moving down four times to accumulate extra picks and landed Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, Braxton Jones, and Elijah Hicks.
Why is Jeffery Simmons' contract considered cap friendly for the Bears?
Because the Tennessee Titans had already paid most of Simmons' bonus money before the trade, the Bears are inheriting a deal that is very manageable against their salary cap.
How does the Jeffery Simmons trade compare to when the Bears traded for Khalil Mack?
Both trades cost the Bears multiple first-round picks, but the key difference is that Poles already has a franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, whereas Pace's Mack trade era was plagued by quarterback problems that the strong draft capital couldn't fix.
Erik Lambert
I’m a football writer with more than 15 years covering the Chicago Bears. I hold a master’s degree in the Teaching of Writing from Columbia College Chicago, and my work on Sports Mockery has earned more than twenty million views. I focus on providing analysis, context, and reporting on Bears strategy, roster decisions, and team developments, and I’ve shared insight on 670 The Score, ESPN 1000, and football podcasts in the U.S. and Europe.
View All Posts