Giants' John Harbaugh Reportedly 'Violated Code' in Trade Talks

The New York Giants are scouring the trade market for a defensive tackle, and apparently, they tried to land the biggest fish on the market: Jeffery Simmons.

Before the Tennessee Titans ultimately dealt Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears, Giants head coach John Harbaugh reportedly called Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk directly in an attempt to complete a deal.

That followed general manager Joe Schoen placing a call to Titans GM Mike Borgonzi.

Schoen's advances were rebuffed by Borgonzi, and Harbaugh — who decided to go above Borgonzi's head — was told the same thing.

Of course, Tennessee surely wasn't anticipating the type of package it received from the Bears, who were willing to send two first-round draft picks and other assets to Music City in exchange for Simmons, so the Titans accepted.

But lost in the fog of all of this is that, according to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, Harbaugh may have ruffled some feathers in deciding to contact Strunk.

Jones reported that one NFL general manager who was informed of the call said that it "violates a code," with the GM noting that primary football decision-makers only speak amongst one another. Owners don't typically get involved.

Harbaugh is now in his 19th season as an NFL head coach, having spent his first 18 years with the Baltimore Ravens. He appears to have more autonomy in New York and seems to be above Schoen when it comes to making decisions.

But he may have just aggravated some executives in the process.

Chances are, this won't be much of a big deal. Harbaugh has a sterling reputation around the league, and his attempt to pry Simmons away from Tennessee will likely be viewed as more of an aggressive swing rather than anything sneaky.

That being said, he almost certainly isn't on the good side of Borgonzi, which could prove problematic if the Giants want to complete a trade for one of the two Titans running backs, Tony Pollard or Tyjae Spears.

New York is expected to make a move before the NFL trade deadline after whiffing on Simmons, per Jones, so some fireworks are expected here.

It will be curious to see just how assertive Harbaugh gets in trade discussions for impending free agents given the Giants' overall lack of draft capital. Simmons had just signed an extension with Tennessee, which explained Harbaugh's urgency to acquire him.

The same cannot be said for the vast majority of other players on the trade block, most of whom will be two-month rentals.