The Tennessee Titans have made a significant move during the NFL offseason. The team has awarded defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons with a record-setting extension.
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According to NFL insiders, Simmons and the Titans agreed to a three-year deal worth $105.8 million. This makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. His average salary of $35.3 million tops the previous high set by Chiefs defender Chris Jones ($31.8 million).
This extension comes as Simmons had two years remaining on his four-year, $94 million deal he signed back in 2023. He was set to earn $20.173 million in base salary in 2026, but that number will now drastically increase.
A standout for Mississippi State, Simmons landed with the Titans as the 19th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He only appeared in nine games as a rookie after starting the season on the reserve/non-football injury list. He had torn his ACL while training for the NFL Draft, and this injury sidelined him until October 2019.
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Simmons became a full-time starter in 2020. He has remained a prominent member of the defense while locking down the defensive line. He has tallied 42.5 sacks, 376 combined tackles 87 quarterback hits, and eight forced fumbles. He is a four-time Pro Bowler.
Last season stood out as the best of Simmons' career. He posted a career-best 11 sacks and 67 combined tackles while earning First-Team All-Pro honors. He then earned a massive contract extension with the Titans.
"Tennessee has become a second home for me," Simmons said in a statement. "From day one, 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 (Adams Strunk, owner) 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."
