The Tennessee Titans locked up one of their best players over the last two seasons to a new long-term contract extension on Friday.
This afternoon, ESPN Tennessee Titans reporter Turron Davenport was one of the first to break the news that the organization and two-time Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons came to terms on a contract that could keep the gifted defensive tackle in Tennessee until 2027.
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After the report hit the news cycle, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed the details of the contract and it is a historic number for the position. “Titans are giving two-time Pro-Bowl DT Jeffery Simmons a four-year, $94 million deal, per sources,” Schefter wrote on Twitter. His annual average of $23 million will make him the second-highest-paid DT in the league, only behind Rams superstar Aaron Donald and his $31 million AAV (via Spotrac).
Tennessee Titans record (2022): 7-10, second place in AFC South
With just one year left on his rookie contract, it is a smart and unsurprising move by the Tennessee Titans. After being drafted by the team with the 19th selection overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Mississippi State standout has become one of the premier defensive linemen in the league.
Simmons has earned Pro Bowl honors over the last two seasons as he tallied 8.5 and 7.5 sacks in 2021 and 2022, respectively. He also posted 54 total tackles in both seasons. As ESPN insider Field Yates explained after the news, the Tennessee Titans solidified their defense for years to come with one of the league’s elite talents on that side of the ball.
“The Titans lock up one of the best players regardless of position in the NFL. Jeffery Simmons is a one-man wrecking crew against opposing offensive lines,” Yates said on Twitter.