Titans reward All-Pro with record-setting contract extension

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Titans reward All-Pro Jeffery Simmons with record-setting contract extension

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jun 19, 2026 5:09 PM ET

The Tennessee Titans have made star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons a focal point of their rebuild and resisted all potential offers to trade him, even as they sunk down toward the bottom of the NFL standings. They value him so highly that they have now made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history with a new three-year contract extension on Friday.

Titans make Jeffery Simmons highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history

Simmons new contract is a there-year, $105.8 million pact that averages over $35 million per season.

That contract includes $100 million in fully guaranteed money.

It is not only the first defensive tackle contract to carry more than $100 million in guarantees, but it is also the highest average salary ever for a defensive tackle, surpassing the $31.75 million the Kansas City Chiefs are paying Chris Jones.

Simmons was the No. 19 overall pick by the Titans in 2019 and has spent all seven seasons of his career with the Titans.

Turning 29 in July, with two years left on his contract, Jeffery Simmons now becomes the first defensive tackle to land $100 million guaranteed.

Here are the highest-paid DTs in the NFL on a per-year basis:

Jeffery Simmons: $35.3M
Chris Jones: $31.75M
Dexter Lawrence:… pic.twitter.com/FxyyoO5S1J
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 19, 2026

He has been one of the few bright spots for the Titans in recent years, recording 11 sacks in 2025 and earning first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.

He has been named to four Pro Bowls and been a second-team All-Pro on two other occasions.

In 99 career games, he has accumulated 42.5 sacks, 66 tackles for loss, 87 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, 27 pass defenses and one safety.

He has also played a handful of snaps on offense, catching two passes for touchdowns in his career.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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