Zac Taylor didn’t hide how he felt when Jeffery Simmons was traded away from the Titans.
The Cincinnati Bengals head coach was so pleased his team would avoid facing Simmons in their upcoming matchup with Tennessee that he picked up the phone and called his brother, Press Taylor, the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator, to celebrate the move. Press Taylor said his brother FaceTimed him with a huge smile on his face: "We plan the Titans this week," Zac Taylor said.
That reaction says plenty about the kind of impact Simmons had on the Tennessee defense. Cincinnati is trying to keep its playoff push moving, while Tennessee comes into the game with just one win and already sitting as an underdog. With Simmons out of the picture, the Titans are in an even tougher spot.
There is at least a long-term angle for Tennessee to hang onto. The trade to Chicago leaves the Titans with two first-round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, and with the team’s current record, one of those selections figures to land near the top. That gives Tennessee a chance to start rebuilding around quarterback Cam Ward and work on getting the defense back to a competitive level.
The exact position of the other first-round pick isn’t clear, but the upcoming draft class is expected to be loaded with defensive talent. That could give the Titans a path to replace Simmons with a defensive tackle and begin filling the hole left behind by the trade.
In Other News...
Jeffery Simmons Revealed The Part Of Leaving Titans That Hurt Most
Jeffery Simmons did not sound like a player focused only on the football side of a major move. After being traded to the Chicago Bears, the defensive tackle opened up about how difficult it was to leave his family in Nashville, a personal layer to a deal that already carried plenty of weight for both teams.
Chicago paid a steep price to get him, sending two first-round picks to Tennessee, a clear sign the Bears believe Simmons can be a difference-maker as they chase a division title under coach Dennis Allen. He arrives with strong defensive production this season, but the emotional adjustment may be just as real as the football transition as he settles into a new locker room and a new city. [Read more 🡒]
3 Titans Rookies Are Still Waiting For Their Chance
The Titans have spent much of the season trying to sort out their rookie class, and three names keep coming up for the wrong reasons. Nick Singleton, Jackie Marshall and Pat Coogan have all been around the conversation without making much of a mark, which is a reminder that not every first-year player finds an immediate lane in the NFL. For Tennessee, the issue is less about pedigree than opportunity, and in each case there has been at least some opening to claim a bigger role.
Singleton has had chances but has struggled with vision and awareness, while Marshall was passed over on the depth chart even when he had a shot to climb. Coogans situation is a little different, since injuries elsewhere have not translated into meaningful work for him. There is still time for all three to change the story before the season is over, but for now the Titans are waiting to see which rookie, if any, can finally turn a small opening into something more substantial. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Still Have 3 Reasons To Believe Against Cincinnati
Even after the close loss to Cleveland and the stunning trade of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears, there are still a few signs Tennessee is not simply limping into Week 8. The Titans have found a little more rhythm on the ground, and the offense has put up more points in back-to-back weeks, which at least suggests some progress as they get ready for Cincinnati.
The defense has also given the Titans something to hang onto, forcing five turnovers over the last two games and creating extra chances for an offense that has not had much margin for error. Cincinnati brings a dangerous attack, so Tennessee will need those recent positives to travel with it, but the broader picture is not as bleak as it might have looked a week ago. [Read more 🡒]