The Tennessee Titans started a new era this offseason, hiring Robert Saleh to be the team’s head coach. Saleh specializes in defense, so it only made sense that Tennessee made a long-term commitment to star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
Simmons recently signed a three-year extension worth $105.8 million, keeping him under contract with the team through the 2030 season. It’s no surprise the Titans are paying so much to keep Simmons around, because he’s the team’s best player and has been a great leader on and off the field.
For as good as Simmons has been, some recent comments from him makes it seem like he’s about to be even better. Speaking with the media at the end of Tennessee’s minicamp, the defensive tackle expressed his excitement about the Titans’ new defensive philosophy, and how the system should lead to him making more plays.
"It's kind of my first year playing in an attack defense. That's my game. I like to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage … I love this type of defense, to be able to be on the other side of the line of scrimmage each and every play. It demands you to make plays. I love this philosophy, and think it will help me make a lot more plays in the backfield, and it will help this team for sure."Jeffery Simmons on Titans new defense
Jeffery Simmons excited about Titans’ new defensive system
The thought of Simmons making even more plays has to be a scary concept for other teams in the NFL. The defensive tackle has already made four Pro Bowls and three total All-Pro teams in the last five seasons, and he’s coming off a season with 11 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss, career-best numbers.
Simmons has been posting those kind of dominant numbers throughout his career while playing in a defense where his responsibility wasn't as attacking minded. He’s now being given more freedom by the defensive staff, and is being encouraged to be aggressive, get behind the line of scrimmage, and go make plays.
That means the best of Jeffery Simmons could be ahead. The defender will turn just 29 years old this July, and will be entering his eighth year in the league. That means he’s set up for his game to reach a new level, which should help the Titans reach higher levels as well.
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