Jeffery Simmons has become a hot button topic for Tennessee Titans fans.
When it comes to run defense and chasing plays down from the backside, no one disputes how good Simmons is. The problem comes down to how you evaluate production as a pass rusher.
One side argues that Simmons has been a very productive player for the team since his breakout season in 2021. Over those four years, Simmons has registered at least 45 pressures in each campaign, which is a strong performance by a defensive tackle.
According to PFF's pass rushing productivity metric, here is where he has finished among tackles that have played on at least 20% of pass-rushing snaps:
2021: 12th out of 111 (89th percentile)
2022: 28th out of 115 (76th percentile)
2023: 11th out of 129 (92nd percentile)
2024: 29th out of 119 (76th percentile)
Looking at the numbers, Simmons is a three-down defender whose range as a pass rusher is somewhere between very good and elite.
The other side of the argument is that disruption doesn't always equal production. For the better part of the decade, the Titans have been one of the worst teams in the NFL at getting to the quarterback and taking the ball away. It is hard to call him a disruptor when the box score doesn't show it, and the team isn't turning his disruption into their production.
No matter how much you like Simmons, it is disappointing that he has only had one year with more than 7.5 sacks.
Jeffery Simmons focused on taking next step in 2025
Simmons pays attention to what is said about him, and the good news for Titans fans is that he acknowledges that he needs to take matters into his own hands and turn his pass-rush efficiency into actual sacks.
Benjamin Hodges posted a five-minute compilation of every pressure by Simmons in 2024, and Simmons quote-tweeted that video with the caption, "Turning these pressures into sacks this year!! #DBLDIGITS"
The next day, Simmons posted a video on social media highlighting his offseason workouts, with an emphasis on taking that next step this season.
This franchise is in an era of change. The front office has made it clear that they are trying to find the right guys to build their team around as they begin the Cam Ward era. Simmons will be 28 when the season starts, and this front office has talked a lot about doing whatever it takes to acquire draft picks as this rebuild continues.
A big season from Simmons this year could decide whether he gets a fat new contract in Tennessee that locks him down for the rest of his prime, or if the team tries to use him as trade bait next offseason.