Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was traded to the Chicago Bears in a major deal that brought the Tennessee Titans two first-round draft selections, but New York Giants coach John Harbaugh attempted an unconventional approach to acquire the star player first. According to reporting by Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, Harbaugh reached out directly to Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk in an effort to bypass traditional channels for the Simmons trade.
An Unconventional Approach
The tactic was described as a bold move that drew criticism from within league leadership. An anonymous general manager told Jones that Harbaugh contacting ownership directly breaks an unspoken rule among primary football decision-makers stipulating that they deal exclusively with one another.
Jones reported that Giants general manager Joe Schoen had previously contacted Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi, receiving a message that Simmons was not available for trade. Harbaugh received a matching refusal from Strunk. The blockbuster trade eventually materialized when the Bears offered 2027 and 2028 first-round selections alongside a 2027 fourth-round choice in exchange for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick, an offer Tennessee could not refuse. Bears general manager Ryan Poles had maintained an interest in Simmons dating back to the 2019 NFL Draft, a time when Poles and Borgonzi both worked for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Front Office Dynamics and Trade Deadline Outlook
Harbaugh answers directly to Giants ownership rather than Schoen, representing an atypical management structure. This dynamic evidently provides Harbaugh the autonomy to pursue non-traditional methods regarding player acquisitions.
The Giants have frequently surfaced as a destination for prominent players appearing in trade discussions. Holding a 4-2-1 record, Harbaugh’s squad currently tops the NFC East division as they target their first postseason appearance since 2022. Having previously acquired J.J. McCarthy and installed him as the starting quarterback while Jaxson Dart deals with an injury, the Giants are anticipated to pursue further roster upgrades prior to the November 10 trade deadline, with defensive line and running back emerging as primary areas of interest.
