Simmons played in 12 games, starting three, as a true freshman in 2016. He had a breakout season in 2017 and was a consensus selection to the 2017 All-SEC football team. On December 20, 2018, Simmons declared for the 2019 NFL draft. On February 12, 2019, Simmons tore his ACL while training for the draft.[6]
Simmons was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round with the 19th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.[9] On May 22, 2019, Simmons signed a four-year, $12.66 million rookie contract with a team option for a fifth year with a $7.23 million signing bonus.[10] He was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the 2019 season while recovering from his torn ACL.[11]
On October 19, 2019, the Titans activated Simmons from the non-football injury list.[12] He made his NFL debut the next day against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the game, Simmons recorded 4 tackles and sacked Philip Rivers once in the 23–20 win.[13] The Titans finished with a 9–7 record, qualifying for the playoffs, with Simmons starting all seven games from weeks 8 to 15, recording 32 tackles, two sacks, and one pass deflection.[14]
In the playoffs, the Titans won upsets over the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens before losing the AFC Championship game against eventual Super Bowl champions, Kansas City Chiefs, with Simmons playing in all three games. In the Divisional Round against the Ravens, Simmons recovered a fumble forced by teammate Jurrell Casey on Lamar Jackson during the 28–12 road victory.[15]
During Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, Simmons recorded his first sack of the season during the 31–30 road victory.[16] Simmons was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on October 3.[17] He was activated on October 15.[18] In Week 9 against the Chicago Bears, Simmons forced a fumble on running back David Montgomery that was recovered and returned by teammate Desmond King for a 63 yard touchdown during the 24–17 win.[19] Simmons was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 9.[20] In the 2020 season, he appeared in and started 15 games. He finished with three sacks, 49 total tackles (24 solo), five passes defended, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.[21] He was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.[22]
In the 2021 season, Simmons started in all 17 games. He had 8.5 sacks, 54 total tackles (42 solo), and six passes defended.[23] Simmons was named as a Pro Bowler for the 2021 season.[24] He was ranked 54th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[25]
The Titans picked up the fifth-year option on Simmons' contract on April 27, 2022.[26] In the 2022 season, he appeared in and started 15 games. He finished with 7.5 sacks, 54 total tackles (25 solo), seven passes defended, and one forced fumble.[27] He was named as a Pro Bowler for the 2022 season.[28] He was ranked 58th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[29]
On April 7, 2023, Simmons signed a four-year, $94 million contract extension with the Titans.[30] During the Titans' Week 11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Simmons scored his first NFL career touchdown on a 2-yard reception from quarterback Will Levis after being declared an eligible receiver.[31] On December 23, Simmons was placed on season-ending injured reserve.[32] In the 2023 season, he appeared in and started 12 games. He finished with 5.5 sacks, 44 total tackles (30 solo), one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[33] He was ranked 73rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.[34]
In college, Simmons was a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Simmons' brother, Dylan Bradley, played football at Southern Miss and then spent time with the Minnesota Vikings while his uncle, Jason Hatcher, played 10 total seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. Away from football, Simmons enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors. He has a son named Jeffery Jr. and two sisters, Brooke and Ashley.
Controversy
Arrest for assault
In March 2016 during his senior year in high school, Simmons was arrested and pleaded no contest to assault after a video surfaced showing him repeatedly hitting a woman while she was on the ground during a fight with Simmons' sister and mother.[35][36]
Spitting accusation
Following the 2019-2020 Divisional Playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens, Ravens' guard Marshal Yandaaccused Simmons of spitting in his face during the game. This was the first and only time in Yanda's 13-year NFL career that he had publicly accused another player of anything.[37][38]
"I do want to say another thing. No. 98 [Simmons] for the Titans - I had that guy spit in my face today. I just want to put him on notice in the media. I've never done this in my career, but I just want to let you know that there's a right way and a wrong way to play football. That guy did not do it the right way today."
— Marshal Yanda
The first time Simmons was asked about the event by a reporter during an interview before a practice the following week, Simmons did not directly deny the accusation.[39][40]
“I know what I did and I know what I didn’t do. At this point in time — today is Wednesday — I’m focused on the Chiefs right now and helping my team win. What I did this past game, what I didn’t do this past game, is not going to help us win this week, so I’m focused on what I can do to win, and what I will do to help get this win this Sunday.”
