In a year where rookie QB Cam Ward fought for his life behind a struggling offensive line, Simmons provided the only consistent fireworks for the Nashville faithful. He finished the 2025 campaign with 11 sacks and a first-team All-Pro selection, but the true measure of his greatness lies in the extra attention he demanded—and ignored. Simmons’ 18 pressures against double teams paced the league, narrowly beating out New England’s Christian Barmore (17) and Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea (16).
The gap between Simmons and the field is even more impressive when you consider the lack of surrounding help. With the Titans’ defense often stuck on the field for long stretches, Simmons played with a relentless motor that rarely cooled. Whether he was splitting guards in a Week 4 clash against Houston or bull-rushing through a sea of jerseys in Cleveland, he made life miserable for every offensive coordinator on the schedule.
“I don’t care if they put three guys on me. My job is to get to that backfield and cause enough chaos that my teammates can fly. If the record isn’t what we want, I’m just going to work harder until the wins catch up to the effort.”
— Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans DT
As the Titans transition into the 2026 season under a revamped coaching staff led by Brian Daboll, Simmons remains the foundation. The front office spent the early days of March scouting for defensive line help to take the pressure off “Big Jeff,” but these stats suggest he thrives under the weight anyway. With a top-five pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, Tennessee has a chance to finally pair Simmons with an elite edge rusher. If they find a running mate who can capitalize on the double teams Simmons draws, this defense won’t just be disruptive—it will be elite.
