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The NFC is quickly becoming an arms race, and the Bears one-upped two of their fellow contenders on Wednesday with a deal for Titans DT Jeffery Simmons.
After the Seahawks and 49ers both made moves to bring in rental players in Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, respectively, the Bears took a major swing by dealing two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to Tennessee for Simmons.
History tells us dealing two first-rounders for a defensive player is a significant risk, but there are some reasons why the Bears' odds of success might be better.
Here's a look at recent defensive players traded for multiple first-round picks and how the deal panned out.
MORE: Grading the Jeffery Simmons trade for Bears, Titans
Defensive players traded for multiple first-round picks
Since the start of the 21st century, six defensive players have been formally traded for multiple first-round picks — with the Ravens' deal for Maxx Crosby another notable example before a failed physical nixed the agreement.
Khalil Mack, 2018
- Bears received: EDGE Khalil Mack, 2020 2nd-round pick, 2020 6th-round pick
- Raiders received: 2019 1st-round pick, 2020 1st-round pick, 2020 3rd-round pick, 2019 6th-round pick
The Bears saw instant results when they won 12 games and the NFC North in Khalil Mack's first season, which included 12.5 sacks and an All-Pro First Team selection. Was the deal worth it, though? Chicago never won a playoff game during Mack's four seasons, and he played 53 games in a Bears uniform before being traded to the Chargers for a Day 2 and Day 3 pick.
Jalen Ramsey, 2019
- Rams received: CB Jalen Ramsey
- Jaguars received: 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 1st-round pick, 2021 4th-round pick
The Rams sent just about an identical package to the Jaguars for Jalen Ramsey as the Bears did for Simmons, giving up two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick. While Ramsey spent less than four seasons in Los Angeles, it's hard not to call the deal a success. He earned two All-Pro First Team selections and was a defensive anchor when the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021.
POWER RANKINGS: Bills the new No. 1; Patriots, Packers slide
Jamal Adams, 2020
- Seahawks received: S Jamal Adams, 2022 4th-round pick
- Jets received: S Bradley McDougald, 2021 1st-round pick, 2022 first-round pick, 2021 3rd-round pick
The Seahawks trade for Jamal Adams was a flop, as the former All-Pro safety followed up a strong first season in Seattle with sharp regression before injuries derailed his career. Adams played in only 34 games with Seattle, and the franchise's window to win with Russell Wilson closed after 2020.
Micah Parsons, 2025
- Packers received: EDGE Micah Parsons
- Cowboys received: 2026 1st-round pick, 2027 1st-round pick, DT Kenny Clark
The jury is still out on the success of the Packers' deal for Micah Parsons. The former Cowboys star certainly looked like a force on Green Bay's defense before an ACL tear ended his season in 2025, but he hasn't yet returned to the field. Since Parsons is just 27, there is plenty of time for the trade to pan out for the Packers. On Dallas' end, it would be hard to say the deal looks like a win.
Sauce Gardner, 2025
- Colts received: CB Sauce Gardner
- Jets received: WR Adonai Mitchell, 2026 1st-round pick, 2027 1st-round pick
So far, the Colts' shocking deadline deal for Sauce Gardner more closely resembles the Jamal Adams trade than any other blockbuster. The Colts have won just three games since acquiring Gardner nearly a year ago, and the former No. 4 pick has had a hard time regaining the elite form he showed at the start of his career. The Jets, meanwhile, could wind up with a top-10 pick in 2027 as Indianapolis spirals.
MORE: Bears' defensive depth chart with Jeffery Simmons
Maxx Crosby, 2026 (nixed)
- Ravens received: EDGE Maxx Crosby
- Raiders received: 2026 1st-round pick, 2027 1st-round pick
The Ravens had an agreement in place to trade two first-round picks to the Raiders for Maxx Crosby in March before concerns with his physical led Baltimore to pull out of the deal.
Jeffery Simmons, 2026
- Bears received: DT Jeffery Simmons, 2028 5th-round pick
- Titans received: 2027 1st-round pick, 2028 1st-round pick, 2027 4th-round pick
The Bears made Simmons the first defensive tackle traded for multiple first-round picks on Wednesday, dealing their top draft choice in both 2027 and 2028. While the 2027 pick isn't expected to be in the top half of the first round, it's a gamble on a player who isn't a pure pass-rusher or a cornerback.
With one of those picks looking like it will be toward the back half of the first round and the Bears needing to take advantage of the window to win while Caleb Williams is on a rookie salary, though, the risk might be worthwhile if Chicago can make at least a deep playoff run.
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