Giants’ Simmons Trade Sparks Harbaugh-titans Talks, Bears Buzz

WHO:

Heavy NFL - The Giants entered their Week 8 bye with a 4-2-1 record, leading the NFC East.

Heavy NFL - The Dallas Cowboys were 3-4, the closest team to the Giants in the division; the Giants had already beaten Dallas.

NBC Sports - One source in a key football position with an NFL team called Harbaugh’s effort “shameful.”

NBC Sports - Bears GM Ryan Poles and Titans GM Mike Borgonzi had a longstanding relationship.

Big Blue View - Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk and Titans GM Mike Borgonzi were involved in the trade discussions; Giants GM Joe Schoen had been told Simmons would not be traded.

Big Blue View - Simmons was described as a 29-year-old four-time Pro Bowler and 2025 First-Team All-Pro.

Heavy NFL - John Harbaugh was identified as the Giants’ head coach.

Heavy NFL - Jeffery Simmons was identified as a Bears player in one headline and as a Titans defensive tackle in another.

NY Post - John Harbaugh and the Titans’ owner were involved in discussions about a possible trade for Jeffery Simmons.

Pro Football Network - NFL fans reacted to Harbaugh’s direct contact with the Titans’ owner over a possible Simmons trade.

Heavy NFL - Jonathan Jones of The Athletic was cited as the source of reporting about Harbaugh’s trade attempt.

WHAT:

Heavy NFL - No other NFC East team had a record above .500 when the Giants entered their bye.

NBC Sports - The Titans’ “braintrust” met on Tuesday and decided to start listening to offers for Simmons.

NBC Sports - The Giants were reportedly willing to offer more than the package the Bears ultimately sent the Titans.

NBC Sports - Jones reported that it was unclear whether Harbaugh called Strunk before or after Poles offered two first-round picks.

NBC Sports - The article cited the 2021 Matthew Stafford trade from the Lions to the Rams as another example of a deal shaped by pre-existing relationships; Lions GM Brad Holmes had recently been hired from the Rams.

NBC Sports - Other teams were surprised that Stafford had been dealt quietly and quickly to the Rams. The deal included quarterback Jared Goff and extra compensation for the Lions to take on Goff’s contract.

NBC Sports - Former Commanders GM Martin Mayhew called every NFL team the following offseason to ask whether its starting quarterback might be available for trade.

Big Blue View - The Titans initially said Simmons would not be traded, but the Chicago Bears later offered two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick.

Big Blue View - One general manager said Harbaugh’s call to Strunk “violates a code amongst primary football decision-makers, that they will only deal with each other.”

Big Blue View - Running back Jonathan Taylor was described as reportedly available.

Heavy NFL - The Giants and John Harbaugh reportedly made a trade attempt for Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Heavy NFL - Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported that Harbaugh made what the article described as an “odd move” in an attempt to trade for Simmons.

NY Post - Harbaugh spoke with the Titans’ owner about a trade for Simmons; the article said he wanted the Giants upgraded, “even if he has to do the upgrading himself.”

Pro Football Network - Fans were shocked by the tactics Harbaugh used in trying to acquire Simmons from the Tennessee Titans.

Pro Football Network - Fan reactions included the phrases “Zero Motion” and “Always Undermining (Joe) Shoen.”

WHERE:

Heavy NFL - The proposed trade involved the Giants and the Titans.

Pro Football Network - The Titans were identified as being in Tennessee.

WHY:

Pro Football Network - Max Kellerman urged the Bills to make trades to help quarterback Josh Allen after Simmons was traded to the Bears.

HOW:

Big Blue View - The report said NFL trade talks traditionally take place directly between general managers.

NY Post - Harbaugh contacted the Titans’ owner directly to discuss a possible trade.

Pro Football Network - Harbaugh’s direct contact with the Titans’ owner was described as the tactic that prompted fan reactions.

Giants coach John Harbaugh reportedly contacted Tennessee’s owner directly, seeking defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Chicago landed Simmons with two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder. The Giants reportedly offered more, and Harbaugh’s approach drew criticism from NFL decision-makers.