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 take heed to commerce presents on gamers comparable to tight finish Chig Okonkwo, cornerback Roger McCreary and out of doors linebacker Arden Key, sources informed ESPN.
However Ward, the No. 1 choose on this yr’s draft, and Simmons, a three-time Professional Bowler, are off limits, in keeping with sources.
Simmons, 28, is among 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 damage, as “our greatest participant.”
“You may’t exchange Jeff Simmons,” Wilson stated. “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 staff operations, has publicly said that he desires Tennessee to have at the very least 12 picks within the high 100 over the subsequent three drafts.
However with the Nov. 4 commerce deadline looming, McCoy stated earlier this week that Tennessee’s focus stays on the Colts.
“We’re not worrying about down the highway,” McCoy stated. “It is about this week. That is the No. 1 factor. The whole lot else will care for itself down the highway, however … our focus proper now could be going to Indy and discovering a solution to win the sport.”
ESPN’s Turron Davenport contributed to this report.