Jeffery Simmons is now the Highest-Paid Defensive Tackle Ever - and He Deserves to Be
When you're going through a major rebuild as an organization, it's pretty beneficial to keep the best people you do have on board.
On Friday, the Tennessee Titans did just that when they signed interior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons to a new $105.8 million contract extension with $100 million guaranteed that makes Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in history.
"Jeffery Simmons is a pillar for our franchise, and embodies what it means to be a Titan," general manager Mike Borgonzi said in a statement. "He's the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League and you win with players like Jeffery. Not only is his leadership on the field what we want our program to represent, but off the field, he sets the standard for our community. I'd like to thank Todd France and AJ Stevens with Athletes First for their communication and efforts to get this deal done. I'd also like to thank Vin Marino, Leland Taylor and Dave Gardi for spearheading negotiations that resulted in a win for everyone. This wouldn't be possible without the support of [Titans owner] Amy [Adams Strunk] and the Adams family.
"You always want to keep your best players, and we accomplished that today. We're excited for Jeffery to be here in Nashville for the long haul."
"Tennessee has become a second home for me," Simmons said. "From Day 1, this organization believed in me, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to pour into this franchise and community. I want to thank God, my family, my teammates, Ms. Amy and the entire Titans organization for believing in me. My job isn't finished. I believe in this locker room and this staff, and I'm focused on helping this team get back to competing for championships."
This was a big deal for a Titans franchise that is coming off consecutive 3-14 seasons, because Simmons has been the one player on the team that has unquestionably held himself to a higher standard through that time. His 2025 season, in which he totaled 12 sacks, 64 total pressures, 43 solo tackles, 42 stops, 16 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles, proved everything Simmons ever needed to prove. While all around him was the wrong kind of chaos on a Titans defense that ranked 29th in DVOA, Simmons was playing in a different dimension.
Not bad for a guy who missed two games with a hamstring injury in the middle of the season.
Moreover, Simmons did what he did with very little help around him. Per Pro Football Focus, Simmons racked up five of his sacks and 33 pressures when double-teamed (at least), and this was vital, because nobody else on that line was aching for that kind of attention from opposing offensive lines. Jihad Ward and Jaylen Harrell tied for second on the team with six sacks each, and Ward (47) was the only other Titans defender with more than 35 pressures.
Double-teaming Jeffery Simmons is mandatory.
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 19, 2026
It is also hopeless more often than not. pic.twitter.com/HqA6emECmA
The Titans have done a lot of work this offseason to give Simmons more help, adding free agents John Franklin-Myers and Jordan Elliott, as well as former New York Jets edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson II in a trade. They also took Auburn's Keldric Faulk in the first round of the draft, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the second round, and Baylor defensive tackle Jackie Marshall in the sixth.
Here's what we know - no matter who else is on the Titans' defensive line, Jeffery Simmons will continue to set the bar wherever he darn well pleases.
(Note: Pro Football Focus counts half-sacks as full sacks).
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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 4:41 PM.