The Tennessee Titans are in a dark place. After a 1-5 start and another year of regression, head coach Brian Callahan was fired just 19 games into his tenure.
With the franchise stuck, new general manager Mike Borgonzi could look to reset the roster. And if that happens, DT Jeffery Simmons could be the most valuable piece on the table.
A two time Pro Bowler and one of the leagueâs best interior disruptors, Simmons is the kind of difference maker who can anchor a defense or bring back premium picks in return.
Thatâs where the Jacksonville Jaguars come in.
At 4-2, theyâre near the top of the AFC and creating takeaways at a league best rate, 14 in their first five games. But their interior pass rush hasnât produced.
A Defense on the Verge
GettyTitans DT Jeffrey Simmons
Arik Armstead has been steady since moving back to his natural spot inside, providing leadership and reliability up front. But beyond him, the Jaguarsâ interior rotation hasnât produced enough impact.Â
DaVon Hamilton hasnât been the same cause of injuries, and rookie Maason Smith looks overwhelmed.
That has left the Jags pass rush leaning heavily on its edge players. Josh Allen and Travon Walker have been disruptive, but without consistent interior pressure, opposing quarterbacks still find room to climb the pocket and extend plays.
Jeffery Simmons would fix that immediately. Since being drafted in the first round in 2019, heâs recorded 35 sacks and six forced fumbles, routinely commanding double teams and still finding ways to collapse pockets.
For the Jaguars, that combination would change how opponents have to block them. With Simmons demanding attention inside, Armstead could play freer, and Allen and Walker would face more one on one opportunities off the edge. Itâs the kind of addition that could take Jacksonvilleâs defense from opportunistic to outright dominant.
Why Itâs More Realistic Than It Sounds
GettyTitans DT Jeffrey Simmons
Division trades are rare, but James Gladstone has already shown heâs not afraid to defy convention. His offseason deal sending Christian Kirk to the Houston Texans proved heâs willing to work across the AFC South if it makes the team better.
Borgonzi, meanwhile, inherited a roster thatâs clearly in transition. With Callahan gone and interim coach Mike McCoy now leading the team, the Titans could very easily prioritize draft capital over expensive veterans.Â
The Jaguars have the ammunition to make it happen. With three third round picks in next yearâs draft, they could craft a compelling package without mortgaging the future.
Pair him with Armstead, let Josh Allen and Travon Walker hunt off the edges, and suddenly this unit looks as complete as any in the AFC.
The Jaguars are 4-2 and firmly in the AFCâs contender conversation. But if they truly want to push for a deep playoff run, this is the kind of swing that does it.
A move like this wouldnât just fill a need, it would send a message. A message that the Jaguars arenât just trying to win the division anymore. Theyâre chasing something bigger.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post The Blockbuster Move That Could Push the Jaguars Over the Top appeared first on Heavy Sports.