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John Harbaugh’s Jeffery Simmons Call Shows Giants Are Done Playing Nice at the Trade Deadline
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- John Harbaugh’s Jeffery Simmons Call Shows Giants Are Done Playing Nice at the Trade Deadline
John Harbaugh may have breached executive etiquette by reportedly pursuing a trade for Jeffery Simmons with Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk. But his efforts also showed what he is willing to do to make the Giants better.
Just as he has been coaching on the sidelines, Harbaugh is going to be useful for the Giants' trade-deadline maneuvering, especially since the team has rarely executed in-season trades, let alone as a deadline buyer.
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The Giants (4-2-1) are the favorites to win their first NFC East title since 2011, since they now lead the NFC East by two games over the Washington Commanders (2-4-1) and Dallas Cowboys (3-5). But Harbaugh knows they need to improve and may need a splashy move to have goals beyond simply making the NFC postseason field.
John Harbaugh's Breach of Etiquette Irked the Titans
Harbaugh was reportedly slated to interview with Tennessee for what was its head coaching vacancy in January but never made it to Nashville.
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The Giants swept Harbaugh off his feet with a five-year contract offer, one that continues to look like a bargain. That history may help explain why the Titans bristled when Harbaugh called Strunk to discuss a potential Simmons trade, according to The Athletic insider Jonathan Jones .
"One GM who became aware of the call said it violates a code amongst primary football decision-makers, that they will only deal with each other," Jones reported. "Back in January, the Titans had preliminary phone conversations with Harbaugh after his Baltimore Ravens firing. The two sides set up an in-person interview, but the Giants locked up Harbaugh before he could board the plane."
Joe Schoen, of course, is the Giants general manager, and according to Jones had been engaged with Titans GM Mike Borgonzi about Simmons. However, Harbaugh's instincts were correct, since Borgonzi told Schoen that Tennessee wasn't trading the 29-year-old defensive lineman then dealt him to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder.
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"Borgonzi fielded calls on Simmons from across the league the past two seasons, but he was never inclined to listen," Jones reported. "But after sputtering to a 1-6 start, the Titans brain trust held a meeting Tuesday during which they opted to begin listening to offers for Simmons. That opened the door for the Bears and GM Ryan Poles, who has known Borgonzi since the mid-aughts at Boston College and as they rose through the ranks with the Kansas City Chiefs."
John Harbaugh Will Be a Big Part of the Trade Deadline
That Harbaugh was willing to go over Borgonzi's head to phone the owner when the GM was rebuffing him is a new look for the Giants organization, which has been renowned for its class and adherence to norms.
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But this is a brave new world, Giants fans, ironically brought on by a 64-year-old who may be making his final stop in a two-plus-decade coaching career.
Harbaugh has left no stone unturned in his pursuit of talent, routinely checking in with his brother Jim, who of course is the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. The Giants' six trades in 2026 are their most since they made that many 2023, and more than they made in the previous two seasons combined, and there are almost certainly more coming with the team atop the NFC East.
Harbaugh even upended the Giants' organizational structure, though president John Mara won't mind if the team qualifies for the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
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"Harbaugh does not report to Schoen, but rather to ownership; that is not an unusual setup across the league with veteran head coaches, but it is a departure from what the Giants have traditionally done," Jones reported. "It is clear the team has been reworked in Harbaugh's image."
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
