By locking down a generational talent with a historic extension, the Titans have signaled an aggressive rebuild centered on a dominant defense rather than stockpiling future picks.
The Tennessee Titans just handed a massive contract to Jeffery Simmons.
Simmons' contract wasn't set to run out until 2028. Now, Simmons will be with the Titans until 2031 after signing the three-year, $105.9 million extension.
The Titans could've just let his contract run out and then traded him for younger prospects, but they decided to stay committed to winning and made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, which he absolutely deserves.
It'll be a long road to get the Titans from 3-14 to a playoff contender, but getting Simmons' extension taken care of was a big step in the right direction.
If anything, this further proves that General Manager Mike Borgonzi is going for a quick rebuild.
He already went all in on free agency, similar to the same route the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots took before their recent success stories.
The Commanders built the team around their young quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and reached the NFC Championship Game in the 2024 season. The Patriots already had the franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and they built through free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft before reaching the Super Bowl last season.
The Titans have now secured the most important part of Robert Saleh's defense for the near future and have built around him.
John Franklin-Myers, Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott were the biggest acquisitions on defense. The Titans also added Jermaine Johnson II, Keldric Faulk, Jordan Elliott, Malik Herring, Solomon Thomas, Jackie Marshall and Earnest Brown IV to the defensive line this offseason.
The Titans also took Anthony Hill Jr. in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is a perfect fit for the mold of a middle linebacker that Saleh has at his previous stops.
If the Titans were aiming for a longer rebuild, Simmons could've been traded for draft picks or even a few players. Instead, the Titans are keeping him around because they know how valuable he is as a player.
There aren't a lot of Jeffery Simmons' in the NFL today, which is why he's being paid like it.
Giving Cam Ward more weapons was a priority, too. Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate have upgraded the receiver room plenty.
However, the saying that defense wins championships still holds in the NFL today. The Titans know that their defense runs through Big Jeff.
Without him, players like Franklin-Myers, Johnson and Faulk wouldn't be able to get 1-on-1 opportunities. He is the heartbeat of this Titans' defense and is the strongest case for the kind of rebuild that Borgonzi is aiming for.
This Titans' front office is in win-now mode.
