Titans, Jeffery Simmons agree to extension reportedly valued at $105.8M, making him highest-paid DT in NFL history

Posted by Admin June 19, 2026 NFL

Titans, Jeffery Simmons agree to extension reportedly valued at 5.8M, making him highest-paid DT in NFL history

The Tennessee Titans and Jeffery Simmons have agreed to a three-year, $105.8 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history per annual salary.

The Titans announced the extension on Friday, confirming an NFL Network report that revealed the numbers. The contract comes with $100 million in guaranteed money, per the report.

Simmons’ annual salary of $35.3 million eclipses that of Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who previously had the highest salary for an interior lineman with a five-year, $158.75 million ($31.75 million annually) deal, per Over the Cap.

Simmons, 28, signed the extension after being named first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career last season. Simmons tallied 67 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits and a career-high 11 sacks as a consistent disruptive force in opposing backfields in the run and pass games.

“I believe in this locker room and this staff, and I’m focused on helping this team get back to competing for championships,” Simmons said, per a team statement.

Jefferey Simmons has the highest salary for a defensive lineman in NFL history.

(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect / REUTERS)

Can Titans turn things around with Cam Ward, Robert Saleh?

With the deal, the Titans secure the services of the anchor of their defense through his prime. Simmons has recorded five-plus sacks and nine-plus tackles for loss in each of the last five seasons. He was twice previously named second-team All-Pro and has made four Pro Bowls. A seven-year NFL veteran, Simmons will remain with the team that selected him 19th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The extension signals Tennessee’s intent to compete with quarterback Cam Ward as he approaches his second NFL season. The Titans made the playoff in Simmons’ first four seasons, but are coming off two consecutive last-place finishes in the AFC South and three straight seasons of missing the playoffs.

Ward showed promise as a rookie despite struggles with accuracy (59.8%) and a 3-14 Titans finish, and Tennessee is hoping that he can make a leap in Year 2 and propel the Titans back toward competitiveness. Fortifying the defense is part of that equation and will help the Titans in their goal of developing Ward and returning to winning football.

The Simmons extension arrives amid a change of leadership on the sideline. The Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan during the 2025 season and hired Robert Saleh in the offseason to replace interim head coach Mike McCoy.

Saleh is a defensive-minded head coach who is the former head coach for the New York Jets and defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers under Kyle Shanahan.