Bears Have Perfect Trade Opportunity After Shocking GM Firing

As the 2024-25 NFL playoffs are set to begin this weekend, the Chicago Bears and 17 other teams are already in offseason mode. Non-playoff franchises across the league have already begun shaking up their coaching staffs and front office, including the Tennessee Titans, who fired general manager Ran Carthon.

With a new GM set to take over the Titans, it wouldn't be surprising if Carthon's successor blew up the roster. Newly hired general managers often prefer to build a team in their own image from scratch, meaning it wouldn't be surprising if several players are shipped out of Tennessee in the coming months.

If the Titans wind up having a firesale, the Bears must reach out to them regarding two talented pass rushers.

Bears Trade Rumors: Chicago Should Target Titans' Harold Landry, Jeffery Simmons

Even though the Bears' defense boasts several talented pieces, their pass rush could use improvements after ranking 15th in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. With superstar edge rusher Montez Sweat signed through 2027, it makes a ton of sense for the Bears to target Titans defenders Harold Landry and Jeffery Simmons.

Landry, 28, is under contract for the next two seasons after inking an $87.5 million extension with the Titans in March 2022. Although the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker will carry a $24 million cap hit in 2025, that isn't an issue for the Bears as they're projected to have over $83.3 million in available space, per Spotrac.

Outside of missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL, Landry has been one of the NFL's better pass-rushers since debuting nearly seven years ago.

The former Boston College defender has amassed 50.5 sacks across 98 career games and is coming off a solid season that saw him rack up 42 solo tackles, 9.0 sacks, and four defended passes without missing an appearance. He ranked well among eligible exterior defenders on Pro Football Focus when it came to run defense (82.2, 5th) and overall defensive play (70.5, 38th).

Meanwhile, Simmons has been with the Titans since he was drafted 19th overall in 2019. It didn't take long for the ex-Mississippi State defender to become a key part of Tennessee's defense, proven by his starting in all but two of his 84 career appearances.

Simmons, 27, is now coming off a solid campaign that saw him tally a career-best 76 total tackles while adding 5.0 sacks, four broken-up passes, and a pair of forced fumbles. His personal-best 81.6 pass rushing grade ranked sixth among eligible interior defenders while his 80.2 defense grade ranked ninth at his position.

The two-time All-Pro defender has three years remaining on his contract with about $76.5 million left to be paid across that stretch, which is more than digestible for Chicago given its cap situation.

With enough space to add either Titan, the Bears should seriously consider pursuing Landry or Simmons. Acquiring either pass-rusher would give Chicago's defense a major boost, especially when you consider the type of havoc they could create playing alongside Sweat.

Landry and Simmons are both proven competitors with a ton of juice left in the tank. Either would be a solid addition for any of the NFL's 31 other franchises, which is why the Bears must act quickly before another team beats them to the punch.

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