New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh took the extraordinary step of calling Tennessee Titans ownership directly in an effort to acquire star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, according to a startling report from Jonathan Jones of The Athletic.
Per Jones, that breaks with “traditional NFL trade-talk norms” where general managers deal directly with each other.
Jones reported that Harbaugh contacted Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk after Giants GM Joe Schoen had been told by Titans GM Mike Borgonzi that Simmons,
a 29-year-old four-time Pro Bowler and 2025 First-Team All-Pro, would not be traded. Strunk apparently gave Harbaugh the same message.
That obviously changed when the Chicago Bears made a Godfather offer to the Titans of two first-round and a fourth-round draft pick.
Per Jones, one GM said Harbaugh’s call to Strunk “violates a code amongst primary football decision-makers, that they will only deal with each other.”
Valentine’s View
Whether Harbaugh violated NFL traditions or not, the move tells you a couple of things about the Giants.
- This is clearly Harbaugh’s show. We have told you that before, but this is absolutely evidence that Harbaugh is front-and-center in every major decision, and that he will do whatever he believes necessary to get something done. Even if that steps on toes.
- The Giants are clearly intent upon seizing the opportunity they have in the NFC East. Forget building. Harbaugh wants the Giants to be the best they can be right now, and if there is a star player out there like Simmons or running back Jonathan Taylor who can help make that happen, the Giants will try to get it done.
Whether going for it right now is the correct approach, after the Giants have spent most of the last 15 years floundering you have to appreciate the boldness.
I think it is also important to note that Simmons and Taylor, who is now reportedly available, are players who would be more than short-term, 2026 upgrades.
One other note in terms of surrendering draft capital. Whether it is too early for a Jaxson Dart vs. J.J. McCarthy debate, the Giants clearly understand that if they spend draft capital now, they possess two desirable, 23-year-old quarterbacks and they can use one in the offseason to recoup premium draft picks.
