Titans, DT Simmons agree to $105M+ extension
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- Tennessee Titans agreed to a three-year, $105.8 million extension with Jeffery Simmons, with $100 million guaranteed; his agents at Athletes First confirmed the deal to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
- Simmons posted a career-high 11 sacks last season, breaking Jurrell Casey's franchise record for most sacks by a defensive tackle (10.5 in a season).
- Simmons led all NFL interior defensive linemen in solo tackles (39), tackles for loss (17), sacks (11), sack yards (79.0), quarterback pressures (60), pressure rate (14.5) and forced fumbles (tied, 3).
- Simmons was named first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his seven-year career.
- Titans GM Mike Borgonzi called Simmons 'the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League' and said 'you win with players like Jeffery.'
- Simmons, the 19th overall pick in the 2019 draft, has played 99 games with 97 starts, compiling 383 tackles, 42.5 sacks, 27 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
- Simmons is a five-time team captain, three-time All-Pro and three-time Titans Walter Payton Man of the Year winner; he said 'Tennessee has become a second home for me' and 'my job isn't finished.'
Why it matters: With $100 million guaranteed on a $105.8 million deal, the Titans committed top-of-market money to retain a player coming off a career year — 11 sacks, 60 pressures, first-team All-Pro honors. Locking up their five-time captain long-term signals the defensive identity Tennessee is building around, after the franchise already identified Simmons as the player around whom it wants to win.
