Published
Jun 19, 2026 at 10:23 PM EDT
The Tennessee Titans have not been a good football team over the past four years, but none of it has been Jeffery Simmons’ fault.
Simmons, Tennessee’s 2019 first-round pick, is probably the only identifiable Titan for casual NFL fans.
The Titans compensated him as such with a record-breaking contract extension.
“The Titans and All-Pro Jeff Simmons agreed to a deal making him the highest paid DT in NFL history,” Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Friday, noting that it is a three-year, $105.8 million extension with $100 million guaranteed.
“This is the first deal that includes $100 million guaranteed for a defensive tackle in NFL history,” Rapoport relayed.
The Titans confirmed the contract extension, though the team did not disclose the specific financials in its official press release.
“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, 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.”
After hiring Robert Saleh as head coach in January, the Titans completely overhauled the roster in free agency. No team spent more in free agency than the Titans, per CBS Sports. Tennessee also added star ex-Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate (No. 4 overall) and former Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Simmons has recorded 42.5 sacks, 66 tackles for loss, 87 quarterback hits, and 376 tackles (219 solo) in his seven NFL seasons. He notched a career-high 11 sacks and 21 QB hits en route to his first First Team All-Pro selection last season.
