When the New York Giants traded a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Isaiah Simmons back in August 2023, it felt like a no-brainer. A former top-10 pick with rare athleticism available for pennies? Sign everyone up.
Fast forward less than two years later, and Simmons is gone. Per Jordan Schultz, the 26-year-old linebacker is heading to Green Bay after signing with the Packers in free agency, and the Giants are left with nothing to show for it but another “what if” in a growing line of disappointing moves.
For a team desperate to find versatile playmakers on defense, the Simmons experiment was a gamble worth taking. But ultimately, it never paid off.
Isaiah Simmons never found a consistent role with the Giants
Simmons was supposed to be a Swiss Army knife for New York’s defense. Instead, he became a player without a true position. In two years with the Giants, he totaled just 71 tackles, one interception, one sack, and a handful of special teams highlights.
He never carved out a starting role, bouncing between linebacker, safety, and nickel corner, depending on the week and opponent.
Even after re-signing Simmons to a one-year deal last offseason, the Giants never found a real plan for him. And once they signed Chris Board in free agency—a proven special teams standout and reliable depth linebacker—it became obvious there was no longer a spot for Simmons in New York. Board offers everything Simmons doesn't: consistency, assignment-sound play, and a steady defensive presence. It was a clear upgrade and an even clearer signal that the Giants were moving on.
Technically, the Giants only gave up the 226th overall pick (used by Arizona on CB Jaden Davis, who barely played) to acquire Simmons. But even so, they lost the deal. Simmons didn’t move the needle. He didn’t elevate the defense. He didn’t stick around. A low-risk flyer, sure, but one that still missed.
It stings more because the Giants were clearly trying to rebuild a real identity on defense when they made the move for Simmons. But it flamed out and now the next iteration of New York's defense is here. Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and now Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander make up a group that’s legitimately exciting. Simmons was supposed to be a piece of that rebuild. Instead, he was just a short-term experiment that never clicked.
The Packers are now the latest team to convince themselves they can unlock the potential Simmons once flashed at Clemson. Good luck to them. New York, meanwhile, is moving forward without him, which isn't surprising in the slightest.
Low-risk or not, the Isaiah Simmons trade is officially a flop.
