NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons cashed in on his first All-Pro selection with a record-setting deal.
Tennessee announced Friday the 28-year-old signed a multiyear contract extension. The Titans did not share terms of the deal, but ESPN.com and NFL Network both reported the three-year extension is for $35.3 million per year with $100 million guaranteed — making Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in league history.
“From Day 1, this organization believed in me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to pour into this franchise and community,” Simmons said in a statement. “My job isn’t finished. I believe in this locker room and this staff, and I’m focused on helping this team get back to competing for championships.”
The Titans wanted to keep Simmons as one of the foundational pieces of their rebuild. The new deal locks him up through 2030 and is the second extension Simmons has signed. He also agreed to a four-year deal worth $94 million in 2023.
“You always want to keep your best players and we accomplished that today,” general manager Mike Borgonzi said. “We’re excited for Jeffery to be here in Nashville for the long haul.”
Simmons led NFL defensive tackles with a career-high 11 sacks in 2025 along with his 39 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 60 quarterback pressures.
According to the NFL's Next Gen Stats, Simmons had a 13.9% pressure rate and 18 pressures after being double-teamed. Those were the best in the league among tackles.
The four-time Pro Bowler has been one of the league's defensive stalwarts for years.
Since the Titans selected him in the first round of the 2019 draft at No. 19 overall, Simmons has started 97 of 99 games. He has 42 1/2 sacks, 383 tackles, eight forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and 27 passes defensed.
Simmons is a five-time team captain and been the Titans' Walter Payton Man of the Year representative three times.
Borgonzi called Simmons a pillar of the franchise and someone who embodies what it means to be a Titan.
“He’s the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League and you win with players like Jeffery,” Borgonzi said. “Not only is his leadership on the field what we want our program to represent, but off the field, he sets the standard for our community.”
Simmons is one of five players in franchise history to have at least five sacks in five consecutive seasons since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons speaks to the media after NFL football practice, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. national soccer team advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup without injured forward Christian Pulisic on the field, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday.
A deep U.S. roster earned a knockout berth after only two matches for the first time. The last time the Americans served as World Cup hosts in 1994, they advanced by being one of the best third-place teams. They then lost to eventual champion Brazil in their next match, which was in the round of 16.
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury.
“C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have him today, but I think you saw we’re still capable to go out there and get a result and put up a performance.”
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute off a set piece. Freeman headed in a deflected shot by Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline by Balogun.
He directed a centering pass towards striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
“I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun said. “It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
United States' Ricardo Pepi (9) and Australia's Harry Souttar (19) fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States goalkeeper Matt Freese (24) reacts during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) and Antonee Robinson (5) celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States fans hold signs on the stand during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) appeals for offside after United States' Alex Freeman (16) scored a goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
