JEFFERY SIMMONS SIGNS $105.8M EXTENSION WITH TITANS

The Tennessee Titans and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $105.8 million, according to reports from the Titans and NFL Network. The deal includes $100 million in guaranteed money. Simmons' annual salary of $35.3 million surpasses that of Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, making Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle by annual salary in NFL history.

Simmons signed the extension following his first-team All-Pro selection last season, when he recorded 67 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 21 quarterback hits and 11 sacks. The seven-year NFL veteran was selected 19th overall by Tennessee in the 2019 NFL Draft and has made four Pro Bowls. He has recorded five-plus sacks and nine-plus tackles for loss in each of the last five seasons and was twice previously named second-team All-Pro.

The extension locks in Simmons as the anchor of the Titans defence through his prime as Tennessee looks to rebuild competitiveness around quarterback Cam Ward. The Titans made the playoff in Simmons' first four seasons but finished last in the AFC South in two consecutive years and have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. Ward showed promise as a rookie despite posting a 59.8 per cent completion percentage and a 3-14 record, and the Titans hope he can improve in his second season.