What happened: The Tennessee Titans are signing Jeffery Simmons to a three-year, $105.8 million extension that includes $100 million guaranteed, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The deal makes the First-Team All-Pro the highest-paid defensive tackle in league history. It secures one of the franchise's cornerstone players through the coming years.
Why it matters: The commitment to Jeffery Simmons comes as Tennessee leans into a rebuild under new head coach Robert Saleh and developing quarterback Cam Ward. Locking up an established, versatile interior force gives the roster a stable foundation amid an offseason of heavy turnover. If the Titans take a step forward in Year two of the Ward era, a disruptive anchor becomes invaluable in an open AFC South.
By the numbers: Simmons registered 11 sacks in just 15 games last season, an unusual total for an interior lineman, while holding up against the run. He carried a 13.1 percent missed-tackle rate, leaving some room to improve, and stands 6-foot-4, 305 pounds. He is a First-Team All-Pro and two-time Second-Team All-Pro, and the team has gone 19-49 over the past four seasons.
What to watch: Attention turns to whether Tennessee can build around Simmons and Ward quickly enough to climb the AFC South in 2026-27. The soon-to-be 29-year-old's interior production will be central to that push.