Bears Pay Price for Jeffery Simmons as Colts Sell Out

The Chicago Bears added Jeffery Simmons to their roster on Oct. 29, completing the most expensive move of the 2026 trade deadline window. The acquisition gave the team a new defensive anchor as the league’s top contenders locked in their rosters. The deadline for in-season trades is Nov. 10, leaving one week of games before teams must stop buying and selling.

The Indianapolis Colts sold off their remaining veteran capital in two separate deals on Oct. 27. The team sent edge rusher DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. They also traded offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. These moves marked a sharp shift in strategy for a franchise that had been competitive just a year prior.

Other trades occurred earlier in the season. The Houston Texans acquired Marvin Harrison Jr. on Oct. 11. The Baltimore Ravens signed Cam Jurgens on Oct. 7. The Dallas Cowboys added Joey Porter Jr. to their defense on Oct. 1. The New York Giants replaced their starting quarterback with J.J. McCarthy on Sept. 28.

Teams like the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers remain sellers of interest for players such as Jonathan Taylor and Khalil Mack. Franchises near the top of the conference standings now face a choice between spending their remaining assets on available stars or preserving capital for future drafts. The current standings provide a clear picture of which teams are positioned to push for a playoff spot.

The Bears now possess a deeper defensive line, while the Colts receive draft compensation to rebuild their roster. The 49ers and Seahawks filled specific roster gaps with the incoming veterans. These transactions redistributed talent across multiple positions, altering the competitive balance in both conferences.