Blockbuster Chiefs Trade Pitch Pairs Chris Jones With Elite $94 Million DT
The Kansas City Chiefs have a significant need along the defensive line, but could turn the unit into a powerhouse with the right trade ahead of the NFL deadline.
The Tennessee Titans are 1-7 with a rookie quarterback and an interim head coach — the definition of a deadline seller. This year’s No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward is definitely not on the table, while three-time Pro Bowler and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons also appears potentially off-limits. But what if he isn’t?
“The Tennessee defensive lineman has been one of the best at his position this season, if not among the better defenders in football,” Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus wrote Tuesday, October 28. “He leads qualified interior defenders in PFF pass-rushing grade (91.1) and pass-rush win rate (19.3%), with both figures in the top 11 among all qualified defensive linemen.”
ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote Wednesday that Simmons “maybe” isn’t available, while Graziano’s colleague Bill Barnwell chimed in Thursday that the defensive tackle is one of just a handful of players the Titans “should” hold onto through the deadline.
But Locker pointed out that Simmons can potentially bring back the same trade haul as a middle-of-the-road starting quarterback, which is not something to ignore with regards to a 28-year-old interior defensive lineman playing in his seventh season — particularly when the timeline in Tennessee doesn’t have the Titans competitive for another couple of seasons, at the earliest.
“The ransom fetched for Simmons would be tremendous, likely worth at least one first-round pick,” Locker continued.
Chris Jones, Jeffrey Simmons Would Be Elite D-Line Pairing
Kansas City has won five of six games, including three in a row, and is again looking like the team that has been to seven consecutive AFC Championship Games and three straight Super Bowls.
Because of that, the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2026 is liable to end up lower than most, and any deal for a player of Simmons’ caliber would probably necessitate Kansas City throwing in a mid-rounder — perhaps something in the late-Day 2 range.
But pairing Simmons alongside superstar Chris Jones is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often. Jones is having something of a down season overall, but he remains a tremendous pocket disruptor up the middle. Pro Football Focus ranks Jones as the No. 3 interior defender in pass-rush grade (84.0) out of 128 players at the position who qualify.
And Simmons is one of only two DIs better at pressuring QBs, slotting in at first place in that category.
Jeffrey Simmons Would Fill 2 Needs for Chiefs in 1 Move
Simmons is also well above-average as a run defender from the middle of the line, which would offer the Chiefs a huge upgrade in that phase of the game.
“The Chiefs have a need on the edge, but a bigger need might be an upgrade on Derrick Nnadi, who is last among qualifying defensive tackles with a 13.2% run stop win rate,” Aaron Schatz of ESPN wrote Wednesday. “He also has a 0% pass rush win rate, though he plays only a handful of clear pass-play snaps per game.”
Kansas City would greatly improve its pass-rush by adding Simmons, while also upping the run defense. A deal wouldn’t mean the Chiefs couldn’t go out and look for an edge-rusher, but they might not need as impactful/expensive of a player at that spot if they spend big on Simmons.
He is currently playing on a $94 million deal and is under contract through his age-30 season in 2027. Jones is locked into a $159 million agreement that runs through 2028, when he will be 34.
INTERNET GOES WILD: Xavier Legette Responds After Kim Kardashian Criticizes Taylor Swift — Panthers Rookie’s Bold Defense Wins the Internet
The internet exploded into chaos after Kim Kardashian publicly criticized
Legette, who’s been making waves in his rookie NFL season, didn’t hesitate to speak up when asked about the controversy.
“Everyone’s got opinions, but there’s a line between honesty and hate,” Legette said. “Taylor Swift earned everything she has — the fame, the respect, the influence. You can’t knock someone who works that hard. I’ll always stand up for that.”
His words instantly went viral, with both NFL fans and Swifties flooding social media to praise his class and confidence. One fan wrote, “Xavier Legette just earned himself a fanbase beyond football. Protecting Taylor Swift? That’s real leadership.” Another joked, “Swifties to the Panthers’ bandwagon — let’s ride.”
Legette’s defense came at a time when public conversations around celebrity rivalries were at an all-time high. His comment stood out not only for its sincerity but for its maturity — rare qualities from a young athlete just beginning his pro career. ESPN’s
“Xavier Legette isn’t just catching passes — he’s catching hearts with this take.”
Known for his humility and drive, Legette has quickly become one of the Panthers’ most promising young stars. But his words off the field are now making as much impact as his plays on it. Many fans have called his response a “touchdown for respect and empathy” — a refreshing break from the usual noise of celebrity feuds.
As the internet continues to buzz, one thing’s for sure — Xavier Legette just became the unlikely hero of the latest Swift-Kardashian saga. In a world filled with drama, his simple message of respect hit harder than any headline.
Or as one fan perfectly summed it up:
“Xavier Legette didn’t just defend Taylor Swift — he reminded everyone what class looks like.”
