Titans reportedly extend DT Jeffery Simmons on 4-year, $94 million contract

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is now the second-highest-paid player at his position. He reportedly signed a four-year, $94 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Simmons was entering the final year of his rookie deal with a fully guaranteed $10.75 million base salary. Now, his $23.5 million average annual value is behind only Los Angeles' Rams DT Aaron Donald's $31.6 million AAV at his position, per Over the Cap.

Simmons, 25, tallied 21 sacks since the Titans took him No. 19 in 2019 — 16 of which came in the past two seasons alone. He also made the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons as the anchor of Mike Vrabel's defense.

Titans make big splash after offseason of shedding money

The Simmons contract is the first major deal new Titans general manager Ran Carthon has made after he released veterans like Taylor Lewan, Robert Woods and Ben Jones in cost-saving moves this offseason. Tennessee also mostly signed either short-term or cheap deals this offseason, apart from a three-year, $29 million deal for tackle Andre Dillard and a three-year, $21 million deal for pass rusher Arden Key.

Simmons is one of the Titans' best young stars, but the next question will come down to what Tennessee does with quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry. Both have been rumored to be on the trade block and both are expensive veterans.

With Simmons now locked up, the future of the Titans could become more clear in the coming weeks as the 2023 NFL Draft draws closer. Tennessee has the No. 11 pick with a plethora of needs, though defensive tackle most certainly won't be one of them now.

Defensive tackles getting paid

Two other defensive tackles signed huge deals this offseason.

The Washington Commanders gave Daron Payne a four-year, $90 million contract with $60 million in guarantees in March, which at the time was the second-biggest contract at the position before Simmons signed his deal. The San Francisco 49ers then signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Javon Hargrave in free agency to a four-year, $84 million contract with $40 million in guarantees — which now is nor tied for third AAY with DeForest Buckner and Leonard Williams.

The New York Jets' Quinnen Williams and the New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence are likely the next players to earn big deals. Both were drafted before Simmons — Williams went 16 picks earlier and Lawrence went two picks earlier — in 2019 and both are in the final year of their rookie deals. Williams also has 6.5 more career sacks than Simmons over their respective careers, while Lawrence has 16.5. Both made their first Pro Bowl in 2022, while Williams made his first All-Pro team as well.