The Tennessee Titans got a necessary deal done over the weekend. They signed defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to a historic three-year contract extension worth $105.8 million. Simmons will earn $35 million annually, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.
Simmons was downright dominant for the Titans last season, registering a career-high 11.0 sacks en route to his first All-Pro nod. With the Simmons extension signed and sealed, general manager Mike Borgonzi can shift attention to his next priority. Getting Peter Skoronski signed to an extension is the next order of business.
Simmons and Skoronski were viewed as the Titans' two extension candidates this offseason. Borgonzi just made an incredible multi-year commitment to Simmons. After picking up Skoronski's fifth-year option, he deserves the same treatment now.
Titans should sign Peter Skoronski to extension after historic Jeffery Simmons deal
Borgonzi inherited a roster in rough shape after his predecessors Jon Robinson and Ran Carthon drafted poorly for years. Simmons and Skoronski were the two blue-chip players Borgonzi was fortunate to have at his disposal. Both of them should be a part of the Titans' core foundation moving forward.
Skoronski has established himself as a top-10 guard in the NFL. On an offensive line that's still in transition, Skoronski is the one constant the Titans can rely on. That makes him extremely valuable while trying to develop Cam Ward into a franchise quarterback.
The New York Jets recently signed guard Joe Tippmann to an extension worth $15.5 million per season. Skoronski is significantly more established than Tippmann, so you can expect the annual figure to be higher than that. The highest-paid guard in the NFL is Tyler Smith at $24 million per season, so it's possible Skoronski expects his extension to be in that neighborhood.
The Titans were extremely wise to get the Simmons extension done before the number kept rising. Applying that same strategy to their negotiations with Skoronski would be a worthwhile follow-up decision. Skoronski is the Titans' best lineman, and he deserves the Simmons treatment.
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