Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons will continue anchoring the Titans defense for the foreseeable future after reportedly agreeing to terms on a massive extension on Friday.
Tennessee inked Simmons, 25, to a four-year deal worth $94 million, including $66 million in guaranteed money and a $24 million signing bonus, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. News of the Pro Bowl defensive lineman’s extension was first reported by ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
Friday’s news indicates the franchise’s staunch long-term commitment to Simmons, a former Mississippi State standout drafted 19th overall in 2019, following his second-straight Pro Bowl season. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound defensive lineman logged 54 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 15 starts in 2022, a strong follow-up to a 54-tackle, 8.5-sack output he recorded a season prior.
Prior to signing his new deal, Simmons, despite publicly voicing his confidence in a return to the Titans, appeared on track to play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2023. However, as the two sides made progress on a deal, Simmons, who was scheduled to make $10.753 million on his fifth-year option, eagerly informed Titans fans not long before the announcement that he was set to remain with the team.
The two-time Pro Bowler shared two messages on Twitter signaling an extension was in the works, with the first teasing a possible goodbye and the other confirming his return. Simmons tweeted, “Titans Nation, thank you for the last 4 years! I am so grateful for you guys…..But we are not done yet, dammit! LFG!!!! We have so much work to do!”
Titans Nation, thank you for the last 4 years! I am so grateful for you guys…..
— Jeffery Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) April 7, 2023
But we are not done yet, dammit! LFG!!!! We have so much work to do! pic.twitter.com/n3UmFCe9jJ
— Jeffery Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) April 7, 2023
