The Tennessee Titans are making a significant investment in Jeffery Simmons, and they intend to protect that investment by keeping their defensive star fresh for the moments that matter most.
After signing Simmons to a three-year, $105.8 million extension this offseason, Tennessee is preparing to use him differently under new head coach Robert Saleh. The deal includes $100 million in guarantees and made Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL based on annual salary.
Saleh’s defensive philosophy centers on creating disruption in the backfield, and the Titans believe a more controlled workload will allow Simmons to be even more dominant in crucial situations.
“The whole point of the rotation is to make sure that Jeffery Simmons is ready for that one-on-one when we need it,” Saleh said during minicamp. “Third down, two-minute, make sure he’s fresh, ready to roll and ready to exert every last fiber in his body.”
Titans Looking for Maximum Efficiency
Simmons has been one of the league’s biggest iron men on the defensive line. Since 2020, he has played at least 80 percent of Tennessee’s defensive snaps in every season in which he was healthy enough to suit up, routinely surpassing 750 defensive snaps.
Saleh believes reducing some of that workload during games will help Simmons maintain peak explosiveness and make game-changing plays when opportunities arise.
Simmons Ready to Embrace the Challenge
The star defensive tackle is not backing down from the idea of a rotation. Instead, he sees it as another opportunity to prove himself.
“I want to have that mindset of, ‘Nah, coach, I could go for more,'” Simmons said during minicamp. “With the way I train and prepare my body, I want to show him that maybe I could go six plays instead of the four that they’re talking about.”
Simmons also revealed that he has addressed an elbow issue that bothered him for several seasons and believes he is entering the 2026 campaign in the best shape of his career.
Robert Saleh’s Scheme Could Unlock Another Level
The Titans’ new defensive system is expected to suit Simmons perfectly. Unlike previous schemes that often required him to absorb double teams and control gaps at the line of scrimmage, Saleh’s defense encourages defensive tackles to attack, penetrate and create disruption in opposing backfields.
Simmons was already among the NFL’s most productive interior defenders last season. According to Next Gen Stats, he led all defensive tackles with 60 quarterback pressures, a 13.9 percent pressure rate and 11 sacks. He also paced interior defenders in quick pressures and quick pressure rate.
With a more aggressive role and a workload designed to keep him fresh, the Titans believe Simmons could become even more impactful in 2026. If everything unfolds as planned, the All-Pro defender could emerge as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year contender.
