Six weeks ago, Jeffery Simmons scrubbed the Tennessee Titans from his social media accounts as he and the team negotiated a long-term contract extension.
Whether the tactic worked or not is unknown, but Simmons landed himself a new contract, nonetheless, agreeing to a four-year deal worth up to $94 million with $66 million guaranteed and a $24 million signing bonus.
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
Simmons, who was set to earn $10.75 million on his fifth-year option in 2023, is now the second-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL behind Los Angeles’ Aaron Donald (three years, $95 million).
Locking down Simmons, a two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, was presumably at the top of first-year general manager Ran Carthon’s to-do after taking the job in January.
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 7, 2023
Keeping Simmons, who many believe to be a top-three defensive tackle behind Donald and Chris Jones, is a big win for Carthon, who’s tasked with elevating the Titans roster into that of a Super Bowl contender after controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk cited the quality of the team’s roster as a contributing factor for the firing of former GM Jon Robinson.
Simmons led the Titans in hurries (38) and ranked second in pressures (53), sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (nine) in 2022. He’s totaled 40 or more pressures each of the last three seasons and 7.5 or more sacks in consecutive seasons.
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