New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh raised eyebrows across the NFL by directly contacting Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk in an unconventional attempt to secure a trade for Jeffrey Simmons.

The Titans ultimately dealt All-Pro defensive tackle Simmons to the Chicago Bears on Thursday in a blockbuster trade that netted Tennessee a package including two future first-round picks. The deal made Simmons the first defensive tackle in the common draft era to command multiple first-round picks in a trade.

A Titans stalwart since being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, Simmons has spent his entire NFL career in Nashville. Across eight seasons, the 29-year-old has amassed an impressive 46.5 sacks, 72 tackles for loss and 96 quarterback hits, cementing his reputation as one of the league's most dominant defensive linemen.

Despite the Titans' insistence that Simmons was not available for trade, the situation changed dramatically when Bears GM Ryan Poles called Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday night.

However, 48 hours prior to that call, Harbaugh had already attempted to get a deal done with the Titans.

Harbaugh bypassed proper protocol by calling Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk directly rather than going through the appropriate channels. The former Super Bowl champion's unusual approach came after Giants GM Joe Schoen had already been rebuffed by Borgonzi, who had made it clear to all interested parties that Simmons was off the table.

In the end, Harbaugh received the same firm rejection from Strunk that Schoen had gotten from Borgonzi.

According to The Athletic, one GM maintained that Harbaugh's move breached an unspoken code among top football decision-makers, who traditionally conduct business exclusively with one another.

Borgonzi had been fielding inquiries regarding Simmons over the previous two seasons, though none were ever taken particularly seriously. Simmons had long been regarded as a franchise cornerstone; in June, the Titans locked him in with a three-year extension valued at $105.9 million, crowning him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.

However, following a dismal 1-6 start, the Titans convened a meeting on Tuesday and resolved to genuinely entertain offers for Simmons. Poles seized the opportunity, reaching out to his former Kansas City Chiefs colleague.

Ultimately, the Bears shipped a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Tennessee in return for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round selection. Poles landed his disruptive pass rusher while equipping Tennessee with the assets needed to fast-track its rebuilding effort.

"I honestly didn't think it would ever happen," Poles conceded to reporters. "So when that window kind of opened where it was a possibility, and they had to work their process as well, it happened pretty fast. It was a late call and happened in the early morning."

Simmons is set to make his debut when the 5-2 Bears travel to face the 4-3 Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football on Nov. 2. Meanwhile, Harbaugh's Giants must explore other options on the market during their bye week.