Jeffery Simmons told reporters Wednesday he expected to stay. By Thursday, the Tennessee Titans had sent him to Chicago, and fans in Nashville were left sorting through what Tennessee gained with a trip to Cincinnati on deck. Here’s what they keep asking.
Why did the Titans trade Jeffery Simmons for two firsts?
© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Because the price was too good to pass up for a 1-6 team. Tennessee gets Chicago’s 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-rounder, and sends a 2028 fifth-rounder back. The Bears take on Simmons’ $26.95 million guaranteed salary for 2027, though the Titans still carry $21.2 million in 2027 dead money.
Simmons was playing well. His 76.7 overall grade ranked 12th among 126 interior defenders, and he had four sacks and 24 pressures, per PFF. But he signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension in June, and the Titans are building around 2027 now. “As far as I know, I am going to be here,” Simmons said Wednesday, per the team’s website. With Tennessee sitting No. 2 in the draft order, the Titans now have a bounty of picks to work with.
Who replaces Simmons on the defensive line?
Nobody replaces him alone. Tennessee claimed Jonah Laulu off waivers from the Raiders on Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 289-pounder has 91 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 39 games over three seasons. “But a fresh start is never bad. They have a great defense and scheme,” Laulu said Friday, per the team’s website.
Timmy Horne was promoted back to the active roster, and Nazir Stackhouse and Solomon Thomas will take more snaps inside. Jacob Martin (3.5 sacks) and Jermaine Johnson II (three) now carry the pass rush, and John Franklin-Myers is questionable with a groin injury. It’s the first game without Simmons, and Joe Burrow is waiting.
Are Tony Pollard and Jermaine Johnson II next?
Johnson is the likelier move. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen gave him a 30% chance of being traded and named the Browns and Bears as fits. He’s on a $13.4 million fifth-year option, so a buyer only owes the rest of this season’s salary, and he can become a free agent in March.
Pollard got a 15% chance from ESPN, with the Commanders and Vikings named as fits. He’s in the final year of his deal, and a $2 million dead cap charge makes him easy to move. Safety Amani Hooker is also on Bleacher Report’s trade board. Our Titans trade rumors tracker has the latest before the Nov. 10 deadline.
Who catches passes with Carnell Tate out?
The rookie was ruled out Friday with a shoulder injury, which takes away Tennessee’s leader in catches (34), yards (413) and targets (51). His pace has trailed Ja’Marr Chase’s rookie start, but he’s still the top option.
Wan’Dale Robinson (29 catches, 205 yards, two touchdowns) becomes the first read. Elic Ayomanor played 56 snaps against Cleveland and has 177 yards on 10 catches. Calvin Ridley is questionable with a hip injury, and Chimere Dike and tight end Gunnar Helm should see more targets. Expect plenty of Tony Pollard too.
Is Cam Ward getting benched?
Not according to Robert Saleh. He said Monday that “you can’t possibly watch that film and say Cam Ward did not play good, winning football. You can’t,” per the team’s website.
The numbers are tough. Ward has four touchdown passes and five interceptions, a 73.8 passer rating and 5.7 yards per attempt. PFF’s 68.9 overall grade ranks 20th among 35 quarterbacks, per PFF. We argued a QB change would solve nothing, and the Week 9 bye gives the staff two weeks to fix his supporting cast.
More on the Tennessee Titans
- 3 Bengals Weaknesses Tennessee Can Attack in Cincinnati, and 2 Titans Flaws to Cover Up
- NFL Insider Says Amy Adams Strunk Shut Down John Harbaugh and Backed Mike Borgonzi on Simmons
- 6 Make-or-Break Players Who Decide if the Titans Can Spring a Week 8 Upset in Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Bengals’ Passing Game Gained Its Best Chance to Break Loose With Jeffery Simmons trade
