Giants Defensive Tackle Hunt Goes Beyond Jeffery Simmons, Breer Says
Published Nov 4, 2026, 4:11 PM ET | By Vincent Rapisardi
Key points
SI's Albert Breer says Jeffery Simmons "is not the only defensive tackle" the Giants have called about.
Joe Schoen called the Titans' general manager first and was told no before John Harbaugh called Tennessee's owner, Breer said.
Breer's Oct. 30 column named Colts DT Grover Stewart and Patriots DT Christian Barmore as players who could be had.
The Giants defensive tackle hunt went beyond Jeffery Simmons, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. With the trade deadline six days away, New York has made more than one call for interior help.
"Jeffery Simmons is 'not the only defensive tackle they've [the Giants] made a call on,' per Albert Breer," we posted Wednesday. Breer said it on an SI video with Conor Orr about the first-place Giants as deadline buyers.
Breer said the Giants have been looking at defensive tackles since the end of training camp, with more calls over the last couple of weeks. More than half the league called Tennessee about Simmons, he added.
What Breer Said About the Simmons Calls
General manager Joe Schoen first called Titans GM Mike Borgonzi and was told no, Breer said.
Only then did Harbaugh call Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk, a move Breer called "a little bit of a faux pas."
Tennessee traded the three-time All-Pro to Chicago on Oct. 29 for 2027 and 2028 first-round picks and a 2027 fourth, Breer wrote. The Bears also got a 2028 fifth-rounder.
Why the Giants Defensive Tackle Search Has Options
In that same column, Breer wrote that "the Giants and Jaguars are sniffing around on defensive tackles." He then listed several who could move.
Colts DT Grover Stewart, in a contract year, "could be had," Breer wrote. He added that Commanders DT Daron Payne could be available and that New England could move Christian Barmore.
Not everyone is selling. The Eagles say Moro Ojomo is not available, and Miami rebuffed interest in Zach Sieler, per Breer.
Breer did not say which of those players the Giants called about. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that Bucs DT Vita Vea is on New York's radar.
By the Numbers: DTs in Breer's Column
Player | Team | Breer's read |
Jeffery Simmons | Titans | Traded to Bears for two firsts and a fourth |
Grover Stewart | Colts | Contract year, "could be had" |
Daron Payne | Commanders | Could be available |
Christian Barmore | Patriots | Could be had, 41.9% of snaps |
Moro Ojomo | Eagles | Not available, per Eagles |
Zach Sieler | Dolphins | Miami rebuffed interest |
Sources: Sports Illustrated, as of Oct. 30, 2026.
What a Deal Could Cost
Breer was measured on price. Using a mid-round pick on defensive tackle help is fine, he said, but a big swing has to be for a truly great player.
Orr noted the Greg Newsome extension gives the Giants some cap relief.
Art Stapleton has called interior defensive line the Giants' top trade priority. The deadline is Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. ET, per ESPN.
What Comes Next for the Giants
The question now is whether Schoen finds a willing seller. Stewart, Payne and Barmore are the names Breer flagged as possibly available.
Vea is a tougher get. "The Bucs are not expected to move him," Fowler wrote.
Our Take: Keep Dialing for Help Up Front
When Ian Rapoport said the Giants would be aggressive for an interior defensive lineman, I approved. Missing on Simmons doesn't change that.
Breer called Harbaugh's call to the Titans' owner a faux pas. I see a coach who is all in. When he talked about making that call, I said we are lucky he is the Giants' head coach.
When he went after Simmons, I said Harbaugh wants his Dexter Lawrence.
Harbaugh has my complete and total endorsement to add good football players in exchange for draft picks. Stop worrying so much about draft picks. Add good players.
Simmons is gone, but Breer's list shows there are still options on the market. Keep making calls until one of them says yes.
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