The New York Giants entered their bye week sitting atop the NFC East, but head coach John Harbaugh’s aggressive pursuit of roster upgrades has sparked controversy among league executives. In an effort to acquire All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before he was traded to the Chicago Bears, Harbaugh reached out directly to Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk.
According to reports, that direct phone call took place after Giants general manager Joe Schoen had already been informed by Titans GM Mike Borgonzi that Simmons was not available. Strunk, who has granted Borgonzi full authority over football operations, delivered the exact same message to Harbaugh.
The unorthodox maneuver quickly drew sharp criticism from rival executives. One general manager familiar with the situation remarked that the call violated an unwritten code among primary football decision-makers stipulating that they deal exclusively with one another. Another key front-office source characterized Harbaugh’s actions as shameful.
Reports also indicated that the Giants were prepared to put together a richer trade package than the one Chicago ultimately sent to the 1-6 Titans, though observers noted such claims are easy to assert after a deal is completed. Under the franchise’s reporting structure, Harbaugh reports directly to Giants ownership rather than Schoen, meaning he did not bypass internal protocol within his own organization. However, initiating contact with another franchise’s owner crossed traditional executive boundaries.
The defensive tackle position has been a major focus for New York following the April trade that sent three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick, leaving a vacancy in the middle of the line. Simmons was viewed as an ideal replacement, but the Bears ultimately secured the 29-year-old All-Pro along with a 2028 fifth-round selection in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus a 2027 fourth-rounder.
Despite the trade falling through and the friction caused around the league, the Giants are expected to remain active buyers ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Moving forward, however, league dynamics suggest it might be wiser to leave trade communications strictly in the hands of the general manager.
