Titans GM Reveals No Prior Intent to Trade Jeffery Simmons, Bears Made the Call

Jeffery Simmons told reporters on Wednesday that he had not heard anything indicating he might be traded for the 2026 season, though NFL situations can shift quickly.

The Titans traded Simmons to the Chicago Bears on Thursday, sending a pair of first‑round picks back to Tennessee. General Manager Mike Borgonzi addressed the transaction in a press conference, noting he had received multiple inquiries about Simmons since joining the franchise but none suggested a trade was appropriate until late Wednesday night.

“I got a phone call late last night from a person I’ve known for a while, Ryan Poles, the GM from the Bears,” Borgonzi said. “He’s really the only person who came out and said ‘would you accept this?’ You have to take in all the information at that point.”

Borgonzi explained the information considered “where we are as a team” and how to “really sustain success in the future.” Those factors led him to accept the offer after speaking with Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk early Thursday morning. He then informed Simmons, who was among the many people caught off guard by the development.

Borgonzi said Simmons did not want to leave but believes the move gives the veteran defensive tackle a chance to compete at the highest level now. The Titans must rebuild and their progress will be measured by how effectively Mike Borgonzi utilizes the assets gained in the trade.

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