New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh attempted an unconventional approach to acquire Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, calling Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk directly in a move that reportedly violates an unwritten code among NFL decision-makers.
According to a report from The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, Harbaugh's call came after Giants general manager Joe Schoen had already contacted Titans GM Mike Borgonzi, who informed Schoen and other teams that Simmons would not be traded. Harbaugh received the same response from Strunk.
The Titans ultimately traded Simmons to the Chicago Bears on Thursday in exchange for 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick going to Chicago. Bears general manager Ryan Poles had reportedly targeted Simmons since the 2019 NFL Draft, when both Poles and Borgonzi worked for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Harbaugh's direct appeal to ownership highlights an unusual chain of command in New York, where the coach reports to ownership rather than the general manager. The Giants, currently 4-2-1 and leading the NFC East, are seeking their first playoff appearance since 2022. They recently acquired quarterback J.J. McCarthy and named him the starter after an injury to Jaxson Dart. New York is expected to pursue additional talent, particularly at defensive line and running back, before the November 10 trade deadline.
