Titans lock up Jeffery Simmons on 3-year, $105.8M extension
Tennessee commits $100 million guaranteed to its defensive anchor, keeping the four-time Pro Bowler in Nashville as the franchise builds around Cam Ward.
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a three-year, $105.8 million extension with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, locking up the heart of their defense for the long haul. The deal carries $100 million in guarantees and an average annual value of roughly $35.3 million. It comes off the best season of Simmons' career, one in which he set the franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle. For a team trying to climb out of the AFC South basement, keeping its best defender was the priority of the offseason.
What are the terms of the extension?
The agreement runs three years and is worth $105.8 million, with $100 million guaranteed. That works out to an average of about $35.3 million per season. The structure puts nearly the entire value at guarantee, a strong commitment for a player on the wrong side of his 20s. Simmons was represented by Todd France and AJ Stevens of Athletes First, with the Titans front office handling negotiations on the team side. The deal keeps one of the league's most disruptive interior linemen in Nashville well into the decade.
What did Simmons do to earn it?
Simmons turned in career-high production across the board last season. He logged 11 sacks, breaking the franchise record for a defensive tackle that Jurrell Casey had held at 10.5. He also led all NFL interior defensive linemen with 39 solo tackles and topped his position group with 17 tackles for loss and 60 quarterback pressures. He added three forced fumbles, tied for the most among interior players. The 19th overall pick in the 2019 draft now has 42.5 career sacks and 383 tackles across 99 games.
Why is he so important to the Titans?
Simmons is the anchor of the Tennessee defense and one of the franchise's most decorated players. He has earned four Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro selections, and he has served as a team captain five times. His impact extends past the field, where he has won the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year honor three times. General manager Mike Borgonzi called him 'a pillar for our franchise' and 'the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League.' Borgonzi added, 'You always want to keep your best players and we accomplished that today.'
How does this fit the rebuild?
The Titans are trying to work their way back up in a competitive AFC South after years near the bottom. The offense is being built around second-year quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, and the front office clearly wants a settled, veteran-led defense to support that growth. Locking up Simmons removes any uncertainty about the defensive identity for the next several seasons. 'My job isn't finished,' Simmons said. 'I believe in this locker room and this staff, and I'm focused on helping this team get back to competing for championships.'
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Titans, DT Simmons reach 3-year extension with $100M guaranteed
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