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Before the Chicago Bears completed a major trade deadline deal, the New York Giants made an aggressive push to acquire defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans.
Giants Pursuit of Jeffery Simmons
As reported by Bleacher Report citing Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, Giants head coach John Harbaugh reached out directly to Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk in an effort to secure Simmons. The Giants had been exploring potential deals ahead of the November 10 trade deadline while sitting atop the NFC East.
General manager Joe Schoen initially contacted Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, but was informed that Simmons was not available. Harbaugh then chose to call Strunk directly, though he received the same response, as Strunk fully empowers Borgonzi to handle football operations.
According to an anonymous NFL general manager cited in the report, Harbaugh’s decision to bypass the opposing general manager and contact the team owner directly violated an unwritten code among primary football decision-makers.
Prior Relationship and Trade Limitations
Harbaugh and Strunk share a minor prior connection, as the head coach was scheduled to host Titans officials, including Strunk and Borgonzi, for an interview at his home in January. That meeting was ultimately canceled when Harbaugh accepted the Giants job just before the Tennessee executives traveled, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
Ultimately, the Giants lacked the necessary draft assets to complete a deal for Simmons, specifically missing fourth- and fifth-round selections in 2027. Although New York could potentially net a fourth-round compensatory pick following Wan’Dale Robinson’s departure to the Titans in free agency, NFL rules prohibit trading compensatory selections before they are officially awarded.
Defensive Line Landscape
By comparison, the Chicago Bears secured Simmons by offering a package featuring two first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028, along with a 2027 fourth-round selection. The Giants’ interest in interior defensive line help followed their offseason trade of Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Simmons now dealt to Chicago and DeForest Buckner traded to the San Francisco 49ers, the available market for defensive tackles continues to shrink ahead of the November 10 deadline.
Despite missing out on trade targets and needing reinforcement on the interior defensive line, the Giants enter their Week 8 bye holding a 4-2-1 record and first place in the NFC East.
