Giants HC John Harbaugh Accused of Breaking 'Code' in Pursuit of Major Trade
Giants head coach John Harbaugh was desperate to land an All-Pro defender, and the drastic action he took may have offended some.
The New York Giants' head coach John Harbaugh is under scrutiny for allegedly breaking an unwritten rule in his pursuit of a major trade. According to The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, Harbaugh called Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk directly to discuss a trade for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before the Titans shipped him off to the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
This move came after Giants general manager Joe Schoen had already been informed by Titans GM Mike Borgonzi that Simmons was not available. Strunk, who had given Borgonzi full control over football decisions, echoed the same response to Harbaugh. Harbaugh's actions have raised eyebrows, with one unidentified GM reporting that the call violated a code among primary football decision-makers who only deal with each other.
Another source close to key football positions labeled Harbaugh's actions as "shameful." While some claim the Giants offered more than what Chicago provided to the 1-6 Titans, it remains uncertain whether Harbaugh overstepped his authority as he reports to Giants ownership, not Schoen. The Giants' recent trade for Dexter Lawrence has left a defensive line void, and Simmons would have been a suitable replacement.
However, the Bears secured the defensive tackle plus first-round picks from Chicago. The Giants are expected to remain interested in acquiring players before the November 10 trade deadline, but it might be prudent for Harbaugh to allow Schoen to handle such calls in the future.
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