The Bears’ blockbuster trade with the Titans for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons seemingly came out of nowhere. In a flash, one of the NFL’s best defensive players went from a years-long AFC rebuild to a 5-2 NFC contender trying to take advantage of their star quarterback’s rookie contract window.
But a Simmons deal had been in the works for a while. At least three other teams made their own plays for the 2025 All-Pro, including the Giants. Head coach John Harbaugh directly called Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk in an ultimately-vain effort to bring him to New York.
But Harbaugh’s somewhat-flagrant violation of traditional NFL negotiation norms might not be the most far-fetched attempt to acquire Simmons’ talents. The Jaguars reached out to their AFC South rivals, according to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, who notes that an in-division trade was “probably a nonstarter.”
However, Pelissero adds, Jacksonville’s interest serves as a reminder that general manager James Gladstone – who came up under Les Snead in Los Angeles – will happily part ways with draft picks for impact players. He is expected to be active over the next week-and-a-half until the NFL’s trade deadline.
However, recent trade rumors surrounding the Jaguars have typically involved the team parting ways with first-round wide receiver Brian Thomas. The Chiefs and Steelers have been listed among his suitors, and the Commanders are also circling, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. If the Jaguars are anticipating adding some draft capital by trading away Thomas, their first-round pick in 2024, Gladstone may be even more willing to make a move before the deadline.