Titans make Jeffery Simmons highest-paid DT in NFL history

The Tennessee Titans agreed to a rich contract extension with star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on Friday.

The Titans did not reveal financial terms, but multiple reports have Simmons receiving a three-year extension worth $105.8 million -- with $100 million guaranteed -- through the 2030 season.

The $35.27 million annual average salary makes Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history, surpassing the Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones ($31.75M average).

Simmons, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, recorded a career-best 11 sacks in 2025. He also set personal bests with 17 tackles for loss and 21 quarterback hits. The 28-year-old has played all seven of his NFL seasons with the Titans.

"Tennessee has become a second home for me," Simmons said in a news release. "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, the 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."

Simmons was a first-team All-Pro as well as a Pro Bowl pick last season while contributing 67 tackles and three forced fumbles to go with his lofty sack total.

He has 376 tackles, 42.5 sacks, 66 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 99 games (97 starts) since entering the NFL in 2019.

Jeffery Simmons is a pillar for our franchise and embodies what it means to be a Titan," Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi said in the news release. "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. ... 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."

Simmons has played in five career playoff games, all coming in 2019-21 during Mike Vrabel's stint as head coach. He recorded three sacks against the Cincinnati Bengals in a 19-16 AFC Divisional round loss on Jan. 22, 2022.

--Field Level Media