Cam Ward, Jeffrey Simmons are Tennessee’s only untouchable players

The Tennessee Titans will buy the roster before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, but they drew a hard line: rookie quarterback Cam Ward and defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons are outsources told ESPN. The move signals the front office who wants to retool without tearing down its core pieces after firing head coach Brian Callahan.

Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, gives Tennessee a young franchise signal caller to develop. The team has made it clear that he will not be used as bait to acquire picks, even as the club explores offers for other veterans. That stance is in line with the franchise’s long-term plan to accumulate draft capital while keeping its core intact.

Simmons, a three-time Pro Bowl selection and anchor of the defensive front, is also in the untouchable category. He has two years remaining on the four-year, $94 million extension he signed in 2023, and Titans coaches have publicly called him “our best player,” via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Sources say Tennessee believes Simmons’ presence on and off the court is more important than any return to the roster.

That doesn’t mean the Titans won’t move the pieces. Executives have quietly floated names like tight end Chig Okonkwo, cornerback Roger McCreary and tight end Arden Key as players who could pick up mid-round picks or be called up for emergency relief. The club’s new regime, led by president of team operations Chad Brinker, has signaled a desire to replenish assets while avoiding a complete demolition.

Interim coach Mike McCoy kept the team’s focus narrow and immediate, saying the staff concentrating on the next opponent but to the drama of rock. With the Titans sitting at 1-6, according to an ESPN report, the club faces a delicate balancing act: improve the roster now or accelerate a rebuild that sacrifices veterans for capital.

For pass rushers or KB swing, Nashville will still be answering the phone, but don’t expect a bargain price for Ward or Simmons. The Titans may still be active at the deadline, but their key players remain the foundation of everything to come. That clarity should speed up conversations and set expectations around the league as Nov. 4 approaches.