In a league where star players are being moved at a pace faster than ever before, no name is ever truly off the table. That reality, while jarring for some, has become the norm in today’s NFL. Now, it seems the next name to stir the trade rumor mill is one that would have seemed unthinkable just a short time ago: Jeffery Simmons. The Tennessee Titans’ dominant defensive tackle, widely regarded as the heart and soul of their defense, is reportedly drawing interest across the league—and the whispers are growing louder.
At first glance, trading Simmons would appear to be a long shot. He’s 26 years old, under contract, and arguably in the prime of his career. Since being drafted 19th overall by the Titans in the 2019 NFL Draft, Simmons has evolved into one of the most disruptive interior linemen in the game. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler, a vocal leader, and the kind of presence that gives opposing offensive coordinators nightmares. He plays with a rare combination of brute force, explosiveness, and technique. When he’s on the field, the Titans’ defensive identity sharpens. He’s the tone-setter, the enforcer, the disruptor.
But NFL front offices are rarely sentimental. They’re strategic. Calculating. And with a new coaching staff led by Brian Callahan, a front office looking to reshape the roster, and a long-term vision that may not perfectly align with Simmons’ timeline, anything is possible. That’s the reality that has people around the league starting to ask the question: Is Jeffery Simmons available? And if so, what would it take to get him?
The Titans are not strangers to bold roster moves. Just two years ago, they shocked the football world by trading away Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft. The backlash was immediate and intense, but the message was clear: Tennessee was willing to make hard decisions in pursuit of a sustainable future. It didn’t matter how popular or productive a player was—if the value was right, the deal would be done.
Now, that same willingness to shake things up could potentially apply to Simmons. While no front office member has publicly suggested a move is imminent, the silence from within the building has been deafening. Simmons is a cornerstone player, and yet, the Titans have not gone out of their way to shut down the rumors. That in itself speaks volumes. In the NFL, when rumors circulate without denial, they often have legs.
Financially, the timing of a Simmons trade would be tricky, but not impossible. Last year, the Titans signed him to a four-year, $94 million extension, making him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league. The contract was a clear sign of commitment. But it also came during a different era—under head coach Mike Vrabel and GM Ran Carthon’s predecessor. With a new regime in town, philosophies can shift quickly. Simmons carries a cap hit of just over $18 million for 2025, which is manageable for many contending teams in need of a premier interior presence. If the Titans believe they’re not in a position to contend within the next two seasons, now might be the time to maximize Simmons’ value.
And make no mistake: that value would be high.
Interior defensive linemen with Simmons’ skillset and production level are rare. He’s not just a run stuffer—he’s a pass rusher from the interior, capable of collapsing the pocket and forcing quarterbacks into bad decisions. His stat sheet doesn’t always reflect his full impact, but the film doesn’t lie. He commands double teams, disrupts timing, and alters entire game plans. In many ways, he’s a modern-day version of what defensive coordinators dream of: a player who can stop the run on early downs and rush the passer on third and long.
If Simmons were to become available, there would be no shortage of suitors. Teams like the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens—all of whom are chasing championships and looking to beef up their trenches—could be in the mix. Even teams like the Chicago Bears, armed with draft capital and cap space, might see Simmons as a foundational piece for their next chapter. The price? Likely a first-round pick and more. Possibly a package similar to what the Rams gave up for Jalen Ramsey or what the 49ers surrendered for Christian McCaffrey. Franchise-altering compensation.
But that brings us back to the Titans. If Jeffery Simmons is such a valuable player—and clearly he is—why trade him?
It comes down to vision and timing. The Titans find themselves in a transitional phase. Will Levis is now the starting quarterback. Derrick Henry, the face of the franchise for nearly a decade, is gone. The offensive line is being rebuilt. The defense has seen several departures. And while Simmons remains elite, his window for peak performance may not perfectly align with the team’s rebuild arc. Trading him could accelerate that process—bringing in premium draft picks, clearing cap space, and allowing the team to invest in multiple areas rather than tying up resources in one.
There’s also the leadership dynamic. While Simmons is undeniably respected within the locker room, a new coaching staff may want to put its own stamp on the team. That’s not a knock on Simmons—it’s a reflection of the natural evolution that happens when regimes change. Sometimes, even elite players become collateral damage in a reset.
For Simmons himself, a trade could represent an opportunity. While he’s never publicly voiced dissatisfaction in Tennessee, he’s also a competitor. He wants to win. And right now, it’s unclear when—or if—the Titans will be ready to make a serious playoff run. A move to a contender could give Simmons a chance to play on the biggest stage, chase a Super Bowl, and further cement his legacy.
Still, the emotional toll of such a move shouldn’t be overlooked. Simmons has been a fan favorite since he stepped onto the field in Nashville. His story—from overcoming a pre-draft ACL injury to becoming a dominant force—resonates with fans who have watched him grow from a first-round risk into a franchise pillar. Trading him wouldn’t just be a football decision. It would be a seismic shift in identity.
And perhaps that’s the crux of the conversation. Are the Titans ready to change who they are? Because that’s what moving Simmons would signify. This isn’t just about roster mechanics or cap flexibility. It’s about deciding whether the face of your defense still fits into the face of your future.
For now, everything remains speculation. But speculation often precedes action. And in a league where names like Khalil Mack, Von Miller, and Jalen Ramsey have all been moved at the peak of their powers, Jeffery Simmons could be next. It would be bold. It would be controversial. But in the modern NFL, it wouldn’t be unprecedented.
The Titans’ front office now faces a delicate decision. Hold onto Simmons and try to build a defense around him, even if the rest of the roster is still years away from contending. Or cash in while his value is sky-high and reallocate those assets toward the broader rebuild. Neither choice is easy. Both carry risk.
But one thing is certain: if Jeffery Simmons truly hits the trade block, the NFL world will be watching closely. Because players like him don’t become available often. And when they do, everything changes.