For the last two seasons, the Tennessee Titans have fielded calls from teams seeking to acquire defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Until two weeks ago, the organization wasn't interested in listening to those offers and instead signed Simmons to a three-year extension worth over $105 million earlier this year. After a 1-6 start to the season, though, the Titans finally acquiesced.
This week, Simmons was traded to the Chicago Bears for a first- and fourth-round draft pick in 2027, and a first-round pick in 2028. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has known Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi dating back to their days at Boston College and later with the Kansas City Chiefs. Borgonzi knew of his interest in the elite defensive tackle, who became the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history when he signed his extension in June.
The Bears weren't the only team to come calling, though. In a recent report by The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, the New York Giants also attempted to trade for Simmons. First, general manager Joe Schoen reached out to Borgonzi, who told him no.
Then, in a bold move, John Harbaugh decided to call the Titans' owner Amy Adams Strunk directly. He received the same a...