Sep 14, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) takes the field against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Titans DT Making Case for DPOY

Originally posted on Tennessee Titans on SI
By Jordon Lawrenz | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 7:00 AM ET

Defense wins championships, or at least is what helped the Tennessee Titans win their first game of the year. Among their top defensive players was defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, a name that should come as no surprise. Tennessee gave that man $94 million for a reason, and now he's proving exactly why he's worth it.

Through five games, Simmons has made a case for Defensive Player of the Year. It's an award that no player can win in five games, but if Simmons' keeps up at this pace, there's no doubt he'll be in consideration.

The Titans posted a graphic on social media touting his success as he currently leads all defensive tackles in sacks (3.5), tackles for loss (6), solo tackles (16), and pressures (20). Simmons, who made quite an impact against the Arizona Cardinals, has been a one-man wrecking crew this season.

The 28-year-old racked up a career high 76 total tackles last season. Prior to 2024, he'd never had more than 54 in a season. Having missed a few games in each of the past few years, Simmons' '24 performance in 16 games was one to be remembered. Here in 2025, he's far from satisfied.

BIG start for Big Jeff @GrindSimmons94 | @FedEx pic.twitter.com/M7fIbOy9Gy
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 8, 2025

Drafted No. 19 in 2019, Simmons has spent all seven of his NFL seasons in Tennessee. The Titans know how much of a defensive priority he is, and without him, they could very well be 0-5. In their Week 5 matchup against the Cardinals, Simmons had a season high eight tackles and one and a half sacks. Coming into the game, he had just two sacks all year.

His Week 5 numbers certainly boosted his case for DPOY. Eight tackles is the most he's had in a game since December 22, 2024. The three-time Pro Bowler has never finished a game with double digit tackles, though he has finished with nine on a few occasions.

At Ole Miss, Simmons had just seven sacks in three seasons. Here in 2025, he's on pace to hit that number in just 10 games. There's no doubt the two time Second-team All-Pro continues to improve each and every year. Coming into the season, Tennessee even maneuvered his contract around to give Simmons a slight raise.

In Week 6, Simmons and company have a chance to wreak havoc on the struggling Las Vegas Raiders. QB Geno Smith has looked far from perfect, and Simmons presence is only going to make him feel even more pressured, the last thing a quarterback with nine interceptions in five games wants.

This article first appeared on Tennessee Titans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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