New NFL Rumors on Surprise Jeffery Simmons Suitors Before Blockbuster Trade to Bears from Titans
Bleacher Report • • sports
Key Points:
- Several playoff contenders, including the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, pursued Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before the trade deadline, but the Titans were reluctant to trade him.
- Giants head coach John Harbaugh directly contacted Titans owner Amy Strunk to request a trade for Simmons, which some NFL executives viewed as breaking an informal code that primary decision-makers only negotiate with each other.
- The Giants faced limitations in trade negotiations due to a lack of mid-round draft picks, which were part of the Chicago Bears' successful trade package for Simmons that included two first-round picks.
- The defensive tackle market thinned as Simmons and DeForest Buckner were traded, with the Giants still leading the NFC East despite trading Dexter Lawrence earlier in the offseason.
- Harbaugh and Strunk have a prior connection, as Harbaugh was scheduled to interview with Titans officials before being hired by the Giants, but the meeting was canceled.
