Jeffery Simmons, former Mississippi State star, becomes highest-paid DT in NFL history
By Ethan Stone
Published:
One of the most disruptive players in football is set to get paid like it.
The Tennessee Titans and All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons agreed to a 3-year contract extension that will make the former Mississippi State star the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. Simmons is set to be paid $105.8 million across three years, $100 million of which is guaranteed according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
“Jeffery Simmons is a pillar for our franchise and embodies what it means to be a Titan. He’s the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League and you win with players like Jeffery,” Tennessee general manager Mike Borgonzi said in a press release Friday. “Not only is his leadership on the field what we want our program to represent, but off the field, he sets the standard for our community.”
Simmons is worth every penny — especially after last year’s All-Pro campaign. In his 7th year in the league, Simmons totaled 11 sacks with 17 tackles for loss to put alongside 67 combined tackles, 3 pass deflections at the line of scrimmage, 3 forced fumbles and 1 safety. That’s more production in one year than a lot of players see across their entire career.
Speaking of career, Simmons’ has been stellar to this point. He’s a 3-time All-Pro and a 4-time pro bowler with 99 starts under his belt (including playoffs), and boasts 45.5 sacks, 70 tackles for loss, 8 forced fumbles and 390 combined tackles.
The scary part for the rest of the league? Simmons may just be getting started.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
