What happened: The Tennessee Titans and defensive tackle Jeff Simmons have agreed to a three-year extension worth $35.3 million per year, including $100 million guaranteed. The terms, reported by Adam Schefter and confirmed by agent Todd France, make Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. France and A.J. Stevens negotiated the deal.
Why it matters: The extension secures the centerpiece of Tennessee's defensive front for the upcoming 2026 season and resets the pay ceiling for interior defensive linemen across the league. By committing record money to Simmons, the Titans signaled they intend to build their defense around him for the long term, a move that drew immediate scrutiny over whether the roster around him justifies the outlay.
By the numbers: Three years. $35.3 million average annual value. $100 million guaranteed. The structure makes Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history by average annual value.
What to watch: Watch how Tennessee fills out the rest of its defensive line this offseason, and whether Simmons' new ceiling reshapes pending negotiations for other interior linemen around the NFL.