Breaking a cycle of first-round departures, the All-Pro defensive tackle secured a massive extension and shared his heartfelt desire to spend his entire career in Nashville.
The Tennessee Titans drafted Jeffery Simmons in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State.
Simmons quickly showcased his potential and made his first Pro Bowl in 2021. He also became a Second-Team All-Pro for his efforts that season.
While Simmons became one of the Titans' best players, the franchise had a history of not handing out second contracts to first-round picks.
Taylor Lewan was the last first-round pick to get a second contract from the Titans. Former first-round picks like Marcus Mariota, Jack Conklin, Corey Davis, Rashaan Evans, Isaiah Wilson, Treylon Burks and Caleb Farley weren't given an extension after their rookie deals expired.
That narrative started to change when Simmons signed an extension in 2023. It was a four-year, $94 million contract. Then, the Titans extended Simmons again this offseason, signing him to a three-year, $105.9 million contract, which made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in football.
At least, that was the case until the Dallas Cowboys extended Quinnen Williams, and the Philadelphia Eagles did the same with Jalen Carter. Simmons is currently making the third-most per year for a defensive tackle in the NFL, according to Spotrac.
By the time that Simmons' current contract runs out, it will be 2031. He will be around 33 years old by the time that he'll be up for another extension.
This puts him in a position where he could retire as a Titan, and that's exactly what he wants to do. Simmons recently sat down with Buck Reising of AtoZ Sports and discussed how he and Amani Hooker are two of the most tenured players on the team.
Simmons recalled what it was like when they first got to the organization, and how connected he felt to the front office after his most recent extension.
He shared that he expressed his desire to retire as a Titan with the front office when he discussed his most recent extension with them.
"Not until you actually start talking about it," Simmons said. "Like, you know, when it was me and Hook, I literally one day I seen Hooker posting his family on Instagram and I'm like, 'Bro, life is really crazy.' Like, I remember when we first came in like, you didn't have no kids. Like, you know, just think about it, man. It's a blessing. And that's the reason why I go back to my contract situation. Like, now I'm grateful to be able to not have everything in the media, you know, when things get messy. And you know, that's the disconnect. And so, to be connected, to be on the same page as the front office and I expressed it, like I want to be here. I want to retire as a Titan."
Retiring here would make every Titans fans dream come true here in Music City. Simmons has been a devoted player for this franchise for many years, and it would be hard to imagine him finishing out his career with any other team.
Simmons has made it clear where he stands. It's up to the franchise now.
