Titans’ New Defensive-Line Rotation Aims to Keep Jeffery Simmons Fresh for 2026

Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension—$35.27 million per year and $100 million guaranteed—making him the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in NFL history. The deal, announced in the 2024 offseason, followed a career-high 11-sack season that earned Simmons his first All-Pro honor. General manager Mike Borgonzi and new head coach Robert Saleh view the contract as a cornerstone for a revamped defensive front.

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• Robert Saleh – Head coach, architect of the “attacking” scheme that emphasizes interior penetration.

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• Jeffery Simmons – Eight-year veteran defensive tackle, the focal point of the rotation.

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• Aaron Whitecotton – Defensive line coach, praised Simmons’ leadership.

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• Cody Barton – Veteran linebacker, projected Simmons as a potential Defensive Player of the Year contender.

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Since 2020, Simmons has logged at least 80 % of the Titans’ defensive snaps each season, often exceeding 750 plays per year. Pro Football Reference records show he participated in a minimum of 15 games annually, underscoring his durability but also his high workload.

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Saleh’s rotation strategy seeks to shift from sheer volume to “quality over quantity,” preserving Simmons for high-leverage situations such as third-down and two-minute drills. By limiting his snap count, the Titans hope to enhance his explosiveness, reduce injury risk, and maximize his impact against opposing offensive lines—potentially elevating him into Defensive Player of the Year conversations.

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Titans officials explained that the rotation will prioritize “certain downs and situations” for Simmons, aligning with Saleh’s philosophy that interior linemen should act as disruptors rather than traditional two-gap anchors. Borgonzi highlighted recent acquisitions—defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, veterans John Franklin-Myers, Solomon Thomas, Jordan Elliott, Jacob Martin, and first-round pick Keldric Faulk—as complementary pieces that enable a deeper rotation. Saleh indicated the plan is still being refined with Simmons, noting that a formal snap-count discussion has yet to occur.

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Public sources did not present explicit criticism of the rotation concept. No opposing viewpoints or dissenting comments from analysts, former players, or league officials were identified in the available material.

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• “Third down, two minute, make sure he’s fresh, ready to roll and ready to exert every last fiber in his body and winning that one-on-one. So that’s really the purpose behind it.” — Robert Saleh, Head Coach, Tennessee Titans

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• “If he's able to go to 50 plays out of 60, he's not doing it right,” — Robert Saleh, Head Coach, Tennessee Titans

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• “With the way I train, the way I try to get my body ready, I want to show him that maybe I could go six plays instead of the four that they're talking about.” — Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee Titans

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• “He's a leader on and off the field. His work ethic and the way he approaches it are infectious.” — Aaron Whitecotton, Defensive Line Coach, Tennessee Titans

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• “That dude, Jeff, is one of the best to do it. He's just going to be causing havoc every play with them letting him go versus two-gapping, and he's just going to go.” — Cody Barton, Linebacker, Tennessee Titans

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The rotation will be implemented during the Titans’ 2026 preseason and regular-season preparations. Coaching staff plan to monitor Simmons’ snap totals and performance metrics, adjusting the scheme as the season progresses. The effectiveness of the approach will be evaluated in real-time through game-day situations, particularly on third down and in two-minute drills.

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