New NFL Rumors on Jeffery Simmons Trade Offers, Titans' Stance After 'Years' of Calls From Teams

The Tennessee Titans remained steadfast in the face of steady trade interest in defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

The Tennessean's Nick Suss reported Wednesday that rival teams would contact Tennessee "once or twice a year" across a period of multiple seasons. Every conversation ended in the same way.

"Multiple sources familiar with these conversations told The Tennessean that talks never even get to the 'offer' stage,'" Suss wrote. "The Titans have been so closed off to moving their cornerstone defender that they don't even let his suitors name their price. And this has been going on for years."

The Titans have missed the playoffs for four straight years, and they're onto their third head coach since their last postseason trip. If Tennessee was willing to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown in 2022, it was worth it to see whether the front office would want to cash in on Simmons and build for the future.

Alas, the 29-year-old continues to call Nashville home, and he has a new $100 million extension that keeps him under contract through 2030.

The Titans' ultimate return on the Brown trade might've instructed their stance on Simmons. Treylon Burks, who was selected with the pick that came over from the Philadelphia Eagles, flopped as the No. 1 wideout. Carnell Tate, the No. 6 overall pick this past spring, is now tasked four years later with being the first true successor to Brown in the passing game.

Occasionally, a general manager will effectively tear the roster down to the studs and leverage their best trade assets toward that approach. Turnarounds can happen quickly, though, so it's important to maintain a foundation.

Simmons' production in recent years hasn't necessarily helped the Titans pile up the wins, but he's clearly somebody they see as a key piece and veteran leader for when they're ready to contend.