Titans extension with Jeffery Simmons likely to impact future deals

[ASFN Admin]

The Tennessee Titans made a bit of a splash last week when they signed star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to a record-setting contract extension, making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.

Simmons was more than deserving of this extension, one that was rumored throughout the offseason, well, except by those who talked about trading him up until the deal was done. Now that the ink is dry, its full impact is clear, and Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes it will have a lasting effect on the defensive tackle market.

Jeffery Simmons

The defensive tackle market has been a little slow to jump in recent years, and interestingly enough, it’s largely because of how rare guys like Aaron Donald and Chris Jones are. So the fact that Jeffery Simmons got a new deal in Tennessee, which we covered in the takeaways, too, is pretty important in that it’s going to create a framework for younger guys at the position.

Along those lines, there are a few keys to the deal. First, the $100 million injury guarantee is protected by early vesting dates, which assure that, one way or another, Simmons will see that money. Second, he gets $45.8 million in new money through the third year of the deal, which is the first new year of it (he was previously under contract through 2027). And his APY of $35.276 is a significant jump, about $3.5 million, at the top of the DT market.

The Titans now have their heart and soul signed for the next five seasons and can continue to build around his elite talents. When healthy, Simmons is dominant, and he should regularly be in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and now his impact will be felt in the offseason in the next round of defensive tackle contracts.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons' extension likely to impact others

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