Earlier this month, two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons unattached himself to any connection he previously had on social media with the Tennessee Titans.
The incentive behind a move like this is often unclear. Perhaps Simmons wants to make Titans’ new GM, Ran Carthon, sweat a little bit, putting pressure on Carthon to give him the contract extension he’s earned in his four years with Tennessee. Maybe the former Mississippi State Bulldog is unhappy and wants a new place to call home. For all we know, it’s equally as likely to be some sort of combination.
We’ve seen this tactic work with NFL players in the past. Just last off-season, AJ Brown wiped the Titans off his social media and was traded a week later on draft night, despite reports that the two parties were still negotiating a deal. Deebo Samuel did the same last summer, and although he remained on the 49ers after a long dispute with the front office, it earned him a shiny new contract through 2025.
It should be noted that Simmons attended a Titans fan event amid all of the social media drama, signing autographs for season ticket holders. But for the sake of content, let’s run wild.
What Makes Simmons Special?
Since being drafted 19th overall in the 2019 draft, Simmons has been a living nightmare for offensive coordinators. Since 2022, the 6’4″ 305-pounder has played 47 of his team’s 50 games. Taking a massive leap in the 2021 season, Simmons was named a member of the All-Pro second team after recording 8.5 sacks, 42 solo tackles, and 16 QB hits. In 2022, he was again a member of the All-Pro second team, playing the majority of his snaps as an interior tackle. His raw numbers took a slight dip, but PFF graded him out at 81.1, the ninth-highest interior tackle grade of the season. He was also top-10 in pass rush and total QB pressures for his position.
Simmons has put together quite the resume in just four years in the NFL; exactly the reason he’s hunting for a contract extension. In the last year of his rookie deal, Simmons is set to make $10.7 million in 2023. There’s no question Simmons will get a massive pay raise; what team will be handing him the check remains the question. Spottrac.com estimates Simmons’s market value with a four-year $104 million contract. Expensive? Yes, but in return, whichever team decides to pay him locks up a proven 25-year-old stud who’s amongst the best in the league at his position. Is that not exactly what every NFL GM prays their first-round pick turns into?
The Detroit Lions: A Match Made in Heaven for Simmons
Tennessee Titans DT Jeffrey Simmons – Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions gave up the fourth most rushing yards in the NFL last season. The Lions need help anywhere they can get it on the front seven, especially in the middle.
After completely changing their secondary during free agency, adding the likes of Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, and CJ Gardner Johnson, the Lions are looking to take a shot in the NFC this season. Wild enough, Brad Holmes still has $25 million of cap space to work with. One of the Lions’ two first-round picks will certainly be used to beef up the defensive line. However, suppose Detroit can land a proven NFL star before draft night. In that case, the Lions will have more flexibility with their eight draft picks, opening the option to potentially lean into their strengths and add to their top-5 offense from a season ago.
The Lions have the fourth-best odds to win the NFC next season. Adding a player of Jeffery Simmons’ caliber would only shorten those odds, giving Detroit their best chances at a Super Bowl since the early 90s. The Lions have shown to be all-in throughout Free Agency, so don’t be surprised if theirs one more big move Brad Holmes makes before the season begins.
