Trade Tactics: Harbaugh Calls Titans Owner to Pursue Simmons

The National Football League trades for Jeffery Simmons concluded with a direct conversation between two team principals. Giants head coach John Harbaugh contacted Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk to attempt a trade for the defensive tackle, according to a report by The Athletic's Jonathan Jones. The call represented a deviation from standard front office protocols during a high-stakes period for the New York franchise.

Simmons signed with the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Tennessee received the Bears' 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The deal closed after initial rejection from the Titans front office. Titans general manager Mike Bogonzi had previously informed Giants GM Joe Schoen and other contenders that the team would not move its star player.

Harbaugh received the same message directly from Strunk. One general manager told Jones that the call "violates a code amongst primary football decision-makers, that they will only deal with each other." The move highlighted a distinct chain of command in New York, where Harbaugh reports to ownership rather than Schoen. This structure has allowed the coach to engage directly in major personnel discussions.

Bears GM Ryan Poles had targeted Simmons since 2019. At that time, he and Bogonzi both worked for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bears paid a premium price to secure the player despite the initial resistance from Tennessee. The acquisition gives Chicago a proven anchor for its defensive line.

The Giants sit at 4-2-1 on the season. They lead the NFC East and aim to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The team recently started quarterback J.J. McCarthy after trading for him. With the November 10 trade deadline approaching, New York continues to evaluate options at defensive line and running back.