The Jeffery Simmons Move is More of the Same

On Thursday morning, the Titans traded Jeffery Simmons, their defensive leader of the last 7 seasons.

Simmons, 29, was the Titans 2019 1st round pick and has consistently lead the team in every major statistical category. Further he has embodied many admirable characteristics you want in a captain and provided excitement in a barren era for the Titans franchise.

While trading your 6-time captain is rarely a recipe success, the compensation cannot be ignored. The Titans received a 2027 and 2028 first round pick and also swapped a 5th round pick for a 4th.

From the Bears perspective, it is logical to pursue such a league-altering move. They are loosely modeling their approach on that of the Rams who made so many trades that they went 7 years without a first round pick. Notably, they won a Super Bowl.

With 5 wins and an MVP-contending young Quarterback, they have an exciting window.

In stark contrast, the 1-6 Titans are dejected. The team is coming off their 4th 1 possession loss of the season in which they have been, far and away, the league's worst offense.

They are in-line to set the NFL's longest-ever streak without winning back to back games, dating all the way back to 2022 without consecutive W's.

On a longer time-scale, the team has had a historically poor half-century. Their 13-45 record since 2023 is the worst record over that span by 4 wins.

The most alarming aspect of this move is the message it sends. Jeffery Simmons joins A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry as recent stars who contributed to great successes, but are out the door. This move devalues long-tenured Titans, meanwhile indicating a greater lack of direction for the franchise.

This signals a lack of trust in Cam Ward. If the front office and coaching staff believed he were truly the answer, and would emerge in the next 3 seasons, they would not move on from Jeffery Simmons no matter the compensation. Simmons is an example of a player who you cannot replace, no matter the resources you have. Frankly, he is the best defensive player in the NFL.

So the team has a new coaching staff, relatively new General Manager, an upcoming new stadium, a rebrand, and a 2nd-year QB that they used the #1 pick yet do not believe in.

They are taking action, but with no direction. The compensation, 2 1st round picks, provides great theoretical value. But what should make us think that theoretical value will be realized? The organization is not recovering anytime soon. It really is more of the same.