New NFL Rumors About Surprise Jeffery Simmons Suitors Ahead of Blockbuster Trade to Titans Bears

Before the Chicago Bears pulled off the biggest blockbuster of the trade season so far, other playoff contenders called the Tennessee Titans for Jeffery Simmons.

According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh called Strunk “directly” in an attempt to trade for Simmons:

“The Giants were looking to get a deal done before the November 10 trade deadline, knowing they would enter Week 9 atop the NFC East. General manager Joe Schoen had already contacted Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, who told Schoen and other interested teams that they would not trade Simmons.

“Harbaugh then chose to call Strunk, the majority owner of the Titans, to try to get Simmons. Harbaugh received the same message from Strunk, who empowered Borgonzi to make football decisions for the franchise.”

The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero added that at least three teams have spoken to the Titans about Simmons, including the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It’s unclear exactly how far the talks between Tennessee and Jacksonville went, as Pelissero noted the Titans probably considered the Simmons trade within their division a “failure,” but Jaguars general manager James Gladstone calling it “probably bodes more activity” for them before the deadline.

Jones cited an NFL general manager who felt Harbaugh’s calling another team’s owner violated a “code among football’s top decision-makers” in that they only deal with each other.

There is a somewhat established relationship between Harbaugh and Strunk. He was scheduled to speak with Titans officials, including Strunk and general manager Mike Borgonzi, at his home in January.

The meeting never happened because Harbaugh was hired by the Giants just before Strunk and Borgonzi were preparing to leave, according to Sports IllustratedIt’s Albert Breer.

One of the reasons the Giants couldn’t complete the Simmons trade is their lack of available draft capital. They currently do not have a fourth or fifth round pick in 2027.

New York could add a fourth-rounder based on the compensatory pick formula after Wan’Dale Robinson signed with the Titans in the offseason, but compensatory picks can only be traded after they are awarded.

The Bears’ trade package for Simmons included two first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, but they also included a fourth-round selection in 2027.

It’s also notable that the Giants were attempting to trade for a defensive tackle after sending Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals during the offseason.

The market for defensive tackles is thinning as the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches, with Simmons and DeForest Buckner, who was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, already being moved.

Despite their need for help on the interior of the defensive line, the Giants are currently in a good place with a 4-2-1 record that puts them in first place in the NFC East heading into their Week 8 bye.