The Tennessee Titans are open to dealing forward of the NFL commerce deadline, however sources informed ESPN on Saturday that they’re unwilling to half with their most vital gamers — rookie quarterback Cam Ward and star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
Groups have been monitoring the last-place Titans (1-6), who fired head coach Brian Callahan earlier this month and named Mike McCoy as his interim substitute.
The Titans are prepared to hearken to commerce gives on gamers reminiscent of tight finish Chig Okonkwo, cornerback Roger McCreary and outdoors linebacker Arden Key, sources informed ESPN.
However Ward, the No. 1 decide on this yr’s draft, and Simmons, a three-time Professional Bowler, are off limits, in keeping with sources.
Simmons, 28, is without doubt one of the few gamers remaining from the Titans groups that received back-to-back AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021. He has two years remaining on the four-year, $94 million extension he signed in 2023.
Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson just lately referred to Simmons, who is not going to play Sunday in opposition to the Colts due to a hamstring harm, as “our greatest participant.”
“You possibly can’t exchange Jeff Simmons,” Wilson mentioned. “He is performed as a finest three approach as anybody within the Nationwide Soccer League this yr.”
Chad Brinker, who’s in his first season because the Titans’ president of crew operations, has publicly acknowledged that he needs Tennessee to have a minimum of 12 picks within the high 100 over the following three drafts.
However with the Nov. 4 commerce deadline looming, McCoy mentioned earlier this week that Tennessee’s focus stays on the Colts.
“We’re not worrying about down the highway,” McCoy mentioned. “It is about this week. That is the No. 1 factor. All the things else will handle itself down the highway, however … our focus proper now’s going to Indy and discovering a method to win the sport.”
ESPN’s Turron Davenport contributed to this report.
