Carla Jeffery's twin brother Carlon shared his final text exchange with her before her sudden death on Tuesday, Sept. 1
"The light you carry is special and must be protected at all times," a portion of Carlon's text message read
The Disney Channel actress was known for roles in the Zombies franchise, Shake It Up and Good Luck, Charlie
Carla Jeffery's twin brother Carlon is paying tribute to his late sister following her sudden death on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The Zombies actress' longtime manager, Carla Alexander, announced the Disney Channel star's death in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Sept. 2. She was 33.

#tuesday #disney

Milo Manheim, Chandler Kinney and more cast members from the "Zombies" film series paid tribute to co-star Carla Jeffery following her death at 33.
On Wednesday, Kinney, who played Willa Lykensen in the Disney Channel musical movie franchise opposite Jeffery's Bree, took to Instagram and shared a series of photos of the two together.
"This doesn't feel real," the "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin" actress wrote. "Carla, the sweetest, most sparkly gal. You made every day better and brighter with your infectious positivity."
She continued. "I think part of why you brought such effervescence to Bree (aside from your immense talent) is because that's really who you were in your heart; a bubbly, vivacious heart-of-gold cheerleader who loved nothing more than to uplift those around her."
As Kinney went on, she noted that she felt "so grateful to have known [her] love," adding, "I'm going to miss laughing with you, and watching you break out your signature splits on any and every dance floor."

#kinney #bree #heart #milo

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Carla Jeffery, the Disney actor best known for her appearances in the ZOMBIES TV film franchise, has died at the age of 33, her agency announced Wednesday.
She died Tuesday, Carla Alexander of Alexanders Talent Management said in a statement on Instagram. Details of Jeffery's death were not provided.
"Carla was more than a client; she was family," Alexander said.
"For more than 20 years, Carla was part of the Alexanders Talent Management family, and watching her grow from a talented young girl into the beautiful, vibrant woman and actress she became was an incredible privilege," she continued in the caption to the post.
"We will remember her infectious smile, her laughter, her talent and the beautiful light she carried everywhere she went."

#beautiful

Carla Jeffery, known for playing Bree Prattle in Disney's Zombies franchise, died suddenly at 33 on Sept. 1
Jeffery's Zombies castmates, including Milo Manheim, Chandler Kinney and Trevor Tordjman, shared heartfelt tributes celebrating her positivity and vibrant personality
Jeffery also appeared in Shake It Up, Good Luck Charlie and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend during her acting career
Carla Jeffery's Zombies castmates are paying tribute to the actress following her sudden death at 33 on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Jeffery starred alongside Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Chandler Kinney, Trevor Tordjman, and more as cheerleader Bree Prattle in the series of musical Disney Channel Original Movies, beginning in 2018.

#jeffery

Disney Channel star Carla Jeffery passed away on September 1, 2026. She was best-known for her performance as Bree, a cheerleader and the best friend of Addison in the Zombies film series. The news was announced on her official social media handle, with fans and industry colleagues sharing their condolences.
Alexanders Talent Management announced the demise of Jeffery via a statement, which was shared on her Instagram. The statement read that Jeffery died at the age of 33. They revealed that the actress joined their organisation at age 12 and over the years they have watched her grow and turn into a wonderful woman. They added, "For more than 20 years, we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room."
Sharing similarities between Jefferey and her Zombies character, they wrote, "As Bree in Disney's hit Zombies franchise, Carla shared her joy, humor and bright spirit with audiences around the world." The organisation stated that for them, Jeffery was not just a client they managed but was also a family member.
They further wrote, "Our hearts are with Carla's family and loved ones during this devastating time." They urged everyone to respect the privacy of her family members as they grieve this immeasurable loss. "Rest beautifully, Carla. Your light will never be forgotten," the message concluded.
The caption also read, "May be gone from this world but not from our hearts. Rest in Peace, Carla J. Jeffery." According to IMDb, other entertainment projects that Jeffery was a part of include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Torchwood, Southland, American Vandal, and others. Moreover, she voiced Mania in the Spider-Man TV series and Bree in Zombies: The Re-animated Series.

#zombies #bree

Disney star Carla Jeffery has passed away at age 33, following a storied career and major roles in projects like Zombies and Curb Your Enthusiasm. The actress' cause of death remains unknown, and her manager, Carla Alexander, announced the unexpected news in an Instagram tribute on Wednesday.
"For more than 20 years, we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room," her manager began, alongside a photo of Carla smiling for the camera.
Carla passed away at age 33 (@ Getty Images)
"As Bree in Disney's hit ZOMBIES franchise, Carla shared her joy, humor, and bright spirit with audiences around the world. Carla was more than a client; she was family."
Her manager continued: "Our hearts are with Carla's family and loved ones during this devastating time. We respectfully ask that their privacy be honored as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Rest beautifully, Carla. Your light will never be forgotten."

#carla #away #disney #curb

Actress Carla Jeffery, best known for her role as Bree, the bubbly Seabrook High cheerleader and Addison's best friend in Disney's Zombies franchise, died at age 33 on Tuesday, September 1.
Jeffery's passing was announced on Instagram by her talent agency, Alexanders Talent Management, in a heartfelt post captioned, "May be gone from this world but not from our hearts. Rest in Peace, Carla J. Jeffery."
Along with a photo of Jeffery, the agency shared a message that read, "It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Carla Jeffery, who passed away on September 1, 2026, at just 33 years old."
Jeffery joined Alexanders Talent Management at age 12 and remained with the agency for more than 20 years. "We had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room," the statement read.
View this post on Instagram

#management #passing

Rapid reaction from the Tennessee ***** ans' 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium in the final of three preseason games:
Robert Saleh, deviating from the original plan, opted to rest most – but not all – of the ***** ans' starters for this final preseason game. Cam Ward, Jeffery Simmons, Wan'Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley and others weren't in uniform, but several expected ***** ans contributors did play. Among them: Receivers Carnell Tate, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, right guard Fernando Carmona Jr., defensive linemen Solomon Thomas, Jordan Elliott and Jacob Martin, nickel cornerback Marcus Harris and linebackers Cedric Gray, Anthony Hill Jr. and James Williams Sr.
It wasn't the first-string this time, but the ***** ans' defense didn't start well in this preseason game, either, giving up a 97-yard touchdown on the Bears' first offensive snap when cornerback Keydrain Calligan fell down in coverage. Later in the first half, Chicago capped a 16-play, 69-yard drive with a second TD pass for quarterback Tyson Bagent, who was 16-of-17 passing for 208 yards.
Tate did not record a catch in three preseason games. He was targeted only once against the Bears, diving unsuccessfully for a deep ball thrown by quarterback Will Levis into the end zone. While the ***** ans surely would've liked to get more production from their rookie No. 4 overall draft pick in the preseason games, it eased some concerns to see Tate bounce back from a brief rough patch and play a starring role during this past week's joint practice with the Bears.
In what might've been his final game in a ***** ans' uniform, Levis started at quarterback (Mitch Trubisky didn't play, either) and went 14-of-22 passing for 143 yards. Vols legend Hendon Hooker played the rest of the way after halftime. Cut day will be here quickly on Aug. 30. It'll be interesting to see what happens with these two quarterbacks.

#tate #game

The Seattle Seahawks traveled to Nashville for a joint practice with the Tennessee ****** ans on Friday morning. They'll then meet the ****** ans on Sunday in Week 2 of the preseason. Tennessee is a rebuilding team, but they should provide the Seahawks' interior offensive line with a worthwhile challenge.
The Seahawks return all three starters across the interior, with Grey Zabel, Jalen Sundell, and Anthony Bradford slated to start. Joint practice with the ****** ans should test their preparedness for the regular season. The interior defensive line is the strongest area of the ****** ans' roster.
Even though Seahawks DT Leonard Williams was named ESPN's No. 1 interior defender this past offseason, many critics believed ****** ans DT Jeffery Simmons deserved the spot. Simmons led all defensive tackles in the NFL in sacks last season. He'd get more recognition if the ****** ans weren't 3-14.
The ****** ans also signed productive DT John Franklin-Myers to a three-year contract worth more than $20 million per season earlier this offseason. Together, Franklin-Myers and Simmons could form one of the best interior duos in all of football this season. Defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh is excited to have them.
If both Simmons and Franklin-Myers participate in Friday's joint practice, they'll push the Seahawks' interior to the limit.

#Titans #interior #franklin #defensive

The Tennessee ****** ans' defensive line has become one of the team's biggest reasons for optimism heading into the 2026 season. After a disappointing defensive performance last year, Tennessee made significant changes up front after bringing in defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh.
Those additions have helped raise expectations for Saleh's defense. However, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the ****** ans' defensive line still has something to prove, as they ranked Tennessee 17th among NFL defensive lines entering the 2026 season.
While that ranking may not put the ****** ans among the league's elite defensive fronts yet, it's an intriguing starting point for a unit that could have one of the biggest impacts on a potential turnaround in Nashville.
The number 17 ranking from PFF isn't necessarily a criticism. It just shows how much room the ****** ans have to climb to prove worthy of higher recognition. Specifically, this is what PFF had to say about the ****** ans' placement in their rankings:
The strength of the ****** ans' defensive line is on the interior, where Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers have the potential to form a devastating pass-rushing duo. Simmons earned a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade in 2025, while Franklin-Myers posted a career-high 84.3 mark in 2024.

#tennessee #line #franklin #biggest

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Vita Vea remain at an impasse over a new contract, but there may be reason to be optimistic that the situation won't ultimately end with the Pro Bowl defensive tackle being traded. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo provided an update Wednesday that should catch Buccaneers fans' attention. According to Garafolo, communication between Vea's representatives and Tampa Bay remains open, even though the two sides are far from an agreement.
Vea requested a trade after the Buccaneers and his representatives failed to agree on a contract extension. The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his current deal, which is scheduled to pay him roughly $18 million in 2026. However, the fact that the lines of communication remain open suggests Tampa Bay isn't simply preparing to move on from one of the most important players on its defense.
Garafolo also highlighted why Vea believes he deserves more money. Over the past two seasons, Vea has recorded 101 quarterback pressures and 11.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Those numbers compare favorably with other highly paid interior defensive linemen, including Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams, Jalen Carter and Dexter Lawrence. Vea responded to Garafolo's post with a simple shrugging emoji, as if to say the numbers speak for themselves.
For the Buccaneers, keeping Vea would be a major boost to a defense that has already changed significantly. Tampa Bay is counting on young players such as Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter Jr. to contribute immediately, making Vea's veteran presence and ability to command attention even more valuable. The trade request doesn't necessarily mean a trade is inevitable.
As long as Tampa Bay and Vea's representatives keep talking, a path to common ground remains. The Buccaneers could potentially restructure or extend his contract while keeping one of their most important defensive players in Tampa.

#tampa #representatives #trade #remain

Defensive tackle Vita Vea remains at odds with the Buccaneers over his contract and thus is not practicing. He wants a trade. The Buccaneers insist they aren't trading him.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the Bills, 49ers and Bears are among the teams who have called the Bucs about Vea.
Vea requested a trade ahead of training camp after spending the offseason seeking a new contract.
Philadelphia's Jalen Carter, Dallas' Quinnen Williams and Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons all have signed extensions recently, with Carter now at the top of the defensive tackle market at $38 million annually. Williams ($35.3 million per season) and Simmons ($35.276 million) are close behind.
Vea now ranks 16th with an annual average of $17.75 million.

#trade

The Tennessee ******* ans and San Francisco 49ers had a scrappy joint practice on Aug. 11 in Santa Clara.
The ******* ans offense and 49ers defense were especially chippy during team practice periods during several points after plays.
"As y'all could see, the energy was hot from the first play," Carnell Tate said.
Starting left tackle Dan Moore and depth offensive tackle Austin Deculus was each thrown out of practice in different scuffles throughout the 11-on-11 periods.
Titans coach Robert Saleh has implemented a rule during training camp about throwing punches. Jeffery Simmons was kicked out of practice after throwing a punch in a scuffle with JC Latham on Aug. 4.

#throwing #francisco #clara

Two days after their first scrimmage of the summer, the Tennessee ****** ans are back at Vanderbilt Health Football Center for another training camp practice.
The ****** ans held their Blue and White Scrimmage on Aug. 7 at Nissan Stadium, showing their progress in front of fans in a scrimmage format for the first time. Now on Aug. 9, the ****** ans are back at the practice facility for their final practice before heading off to California for a week that includes a joint practice and a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers.
In this final practice before leaving, the ****** ans will continue working on installing coach Robert Saleh's defense and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's scheme.
Follow below for top coverage and live updates from The Tennessean staffers on-hand for the practice.
Jeffery Simmons also said his actions were inappropriate after throwing a punch in scuffle that resulted in Simmons being tossed from practice earlier this week.

#practice #scrimmage #week

Notre Dame football got its fall camp started today, and a portion of practice was open to the media.
The Irish have a loaded team, one that has plenty of returning known star power, but there are more than a few positions that still have competitive battles for starting spots as the fall gets under way. While it was just one practice, it's always interesting to see who has stood out, and it very much seems like more than a few did that earlier today.
Expectations are extremely high in South Bend, and starting off fall practice on the right foot is always a good idea. It does seem like that was the case for Notre Dame, as it very much looks like players have been chomping at the bit for camp to get started.
There were multiple media members who went to social media to say who they believed had a great practice. Take a look below who stood out for Notre Dame during its first fall practice of 2026.
A few of these aren't surprising at all, as Moore, Carr and Viliamu-Asa have plenty of hype surrounding them this season. Wide receiver Matt Jeffery is a name that I didn't expect to pop off, but that is an interesting development. Punter Jasper Scaife most likely was booming more than a few attempts which is great to see. Not surprised to see running back Nolan James on the list, as he needs to make the jump as the running back depth isn't the same as it was last fall. Transfer corner Jayden Sanders having a good first day is also great to see.

#fall #dame #Media #started

The Tennessee **** ans are one week into training camp, and the fingerprints of new head coach Robert Saleh can already be felt by all of the organization.
The **** ans do still have some questions that must be answered in camp, but one thing is starting to look more certain by the day: the **** ans' defense will be much improved in 2026. Not only have the **** ans improved the roster around Jeffery Simmons, they improved the braintrust with the additions of Saleh and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
How much of an improvement was it? Zachary Pereles and the staff at CBS Sports looked at the defensive playcallers across the league and have Saleh clearly inside the top 10.
No. 6: Robert Saleh, **** ans coach
Points: 49 | Highest rank: 2 | Lowest rank: 10

#robert #much #defensive #rank

The Tennessee ****** ans took to the field on Tuesday, and tempers boiled over and a punch was thrown, leading to Jeffery Simmons being ejected from practice.
The offense and defense had some spirited competition, but the defense won the day, as the uneven offense sputtered throughout the morning. Even though Cam Ward hit the highlights with a long touchdown to Carnell Tate, his inaccuracies early set the tone.
The intensity was up, and so was the competition, and a few players stood out. Here is a breakdown of some of the players who made an impact today.
Not only did Williams pull in a one-handed interception off Mitch Trubisky, but he also broke up another pass attempt and was all over the field. Williams is clearly battling with Elic Ayomanor for having the best camp, and has to maintain that consistency.
Taylor did give up the big completion to Tate, but other than that was physical and outstanding. The ****** ans are counting on Taylor to help solidify the secondary, and he and Cor'Dale Flott are both showing up.

#williams #field #Competition

The Tennessee **** ans totally revamped their defensive line this offseason. They hired Robert Saleh to be the new head coach. Saleh came in and reimagined the defensive line in his vision.
It started when the **** ans traded for Jermaine Johnson II. They signed John Franklin-Myers, Jordan Elliott, and Jacob Martin in free agency. Mike Borgonzi also traded for Solomon Thomas. Saleh coached all five of these players in New York and San Francisco.
Of course, they're joining Jeffery Simmons, who inked a historic extension with the **** ans earlier this offseason. Saleh will attempt to develop sophomore Femi Oladejo. The **** ans also drafted Keldric Faulk with a first-round pick. Faulk was another Saleh-approved addition, given his similar length and build to Arik Armstead. The aforementioned eight players will essentially be the **** ans' defensive line rotation this season.
Coach Saleh is expected to field an aggressive, attacking-style defense. That's the focal point of his defense. It should lead to impressive sack numbers for the **** ans' defense. Expectations are high.
Given the **** ans' lack of talent at EDGE last season, defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson actually did an excellent job manufacturing pressure. An All-Pro season from Simmons helped. The **** ans ranked 12th (tied) in the league in sacks with 42. That exceeded preseason expectations.

#saleh #season #defense #faulk

The first week of Tennessee **** ans training camp is in the books, and while it's still early, several players have already begun separating themselves from the pack. Between Robert Saleh's demanding practices, Brian Daboll's new-look offense, and a handful of standout performances, week one provided plenty of reasons for optimism. It also provided a few areas of concern.
Here are the biggest winners and losers after the **** ans' first three practices of training camp.
It's hard to ask for a better start to camp for the young wide receivers. Tate has consistently been one of Cam Ward's favorite targets throughout offseason training, making contested catches and finding the end zone in red-zone drills. He has looked every bit like the impact receiver Tennessee hoped it drafted with the fourth overall pick.
Second-year wideout Elic Ayomanor arguably made the best catches of the day in each of their final two practices of the week. He might have fallen in the depth chart this season, but his impact is destined to be bigger following a promising rookie season.
Jeffery Simmons continues to dominate, while newcomers John Franklin-Myers and Jermaine Johnson have helped generate consistent pressure. Robert Saleh's defensive philosophy is already showing up with an aggressive front that has disrupted the offense throughout the week.

#practices #robert

One of the biggest moves of the Tennessee ******* ans' offseason was trading T'Vondre Sweat to the New York Jets to reunite Robert Saleh with edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and bolster the edge position. Through two days of training camp, it appears like that was a home run.
Johnson has looked the part, has had some solid reps against left tackle Dan Moore, and is taking advantage of his opportunity playing alongside Jeffery Simmons and John Franklin-Myers.
After Day 2, Johnson met with the media and made it clear that this is only the beginning, and both the intensity and physicality will ramp up next week, saying, "They don't know what's coming when we get the pads on."
The sentiment has been echoed through the first three days of training camp, with Saleh hinting that this could be some of the players' most intense training camp of their careers. Couple that with a new-look defense that appears to have embraced the attacking style, and it is shaping up as a competitive and entertaining training camp.
This article originally appeared on ******* ans Wire: ******* ans' Jermaine Johnson ready for padded practices to begin

#johnson

Eagles' defensive pair not focused on contract extension talks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Just ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles' training camp, the team announced it was signing defensive tackle Jordan Carter to a four-year contract extension worth $152 million. This extension will make him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the history of the NFL, surpassing the Tennessee ***** ans' Jeffery Simmons, who put pen to paper on a deal worth $105.8 million earlier in the offseason.
When discussing the extension at the training camp, Eagles' executive vice president, Howie Roseman, made a remark about the safety of fans' jerseys for certain players, without saying their names; it'd be presumed that he was talking about cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Mitchell, who was just named within the NFL's top 100 players earlier in the week, isn't in a contract year, with next season being his last guaranteed season in the City of Brotherly Love, given that the 2028 season lies under a team option. A similar thing can be said for DeJean, who has another year left on his contract, meaning the team's front office doesn't exactly have to rush to get either of their players similar extensions.
Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean don’t sound like they’re letting the possibility of big paydays within the next year distract them from this season.#EaglesSportsRadioWIPKYWNewsradiopic.twitter.com/bK7CEexrW3

#extension #year #mitchell #dejean

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Defensive end Jeremiah Johnson II cannot wait until the Tennessee ***** ans finally put the pads on.
Neither can his teammates, especially along the line.
"Honestly, they don't know what's coming when we get pads on," Johnson said Thursday. "But we say that in the best way possible. We're just eager to really play this front the right way, and you can only do that with pads on, so we're just very excited."
The ***** ans not only have a new head coach in Robert Saleh, they are implementing his defense to smother opposing offenses and get after quarterbacks.
It's why Tennessee gave All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons a pricey contract extension in June and revamped the line around him this offseason. The ***** ans traded for Johnson, signed John Franklin-Myers to play beside Simmons and traded into the back of the first round of the April draft for end Keldric Faulk.

#we 're #only

The Tennessee ******* ans finished their first day of training camp practice, and after a solid day of work, Jeffery Simmons, Cam Ward, Wan'Dale Robinson, and John Franklin-Myers met with the media to discuss the opening day.
During those availabilities, Franklin-Myers talked about the many different aspects that brought him to Nashville, and specifically his comfort playing anywhere along the defensive line in Robert Saleh's defense.
"I consider myself a football player. Truthfully, I've done it all, I do it all, and my standard is through the roof. So, you can put me inside or outside, nose guard, d-end, d-tackle, I don't care." Franklin-Myers said, "I want to win one-on-ones, and play the most physical brand of football."
The addition of Franklin-Myers to the ******* ans' defensive front gives Tennessee two dynamic interior pass rushers who should be able to wreak havoc throughout the season and become a foundational piece in this rebuild. He should also be able to mentor first-round pick Keldric Faulk, who has a similar make-up and skill set.
This article originally appeared on ******* ans Wire: ******* ans' John Franklin-Myers wants to bring physicality to the defense

#myers #Titans

We made it.
After months of roster building and speculation, Eagles football is well and truly on the horizon with the first practice of training camp set for Wednesday morning. And on that horizon, it shouldn't be forgotten just how much is at stake this season; the Eagles have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and at least some reason for optimism that they can continue the trend of following up a Super-Bowl hungover season with a deep postseason run the next year.
As we eagerly await the start of this season's journey, here are five thoughts on Jalen Carter signing a contract extension and the biggest position battles that will play out over the next handful of weeks.
On training camp eve, the Eagles made Carter the richest defensive tackle in the NFL with a four-year contract extension reportedly worth $152 million with another $8 million in incentives and $106 million in guarantees according to ESPN.
Since Carter had both this upcoming season and the fifth-year option in 2027 left on his rookie deal, his contract is now essentially a six-year contract that will give the Eagles some flexibility in how they handle that new money. My guess is the cap hits will be friendlier than the initial shock value may have suggested as a result, even with Carter surpassing the $100-million guaranteed mark the Tennessee **** ans gave Jeffery Simmons earlier this month.

#Eagles #million #made

The Philadelphia Eagles have long expected defensive tackle Jalen Carter to perform as one of the NFL's elite defenders. Now, they're paying him at that level.
On Tuesday, July 28, Carter and the Eagles agreed to a four-year, $152 million extension, according to multiple reports. The agreement includes $106 million guaranteed, per reports.
The deal shatters the record for average annual value for a defensive tackle contract, which Jeffery Simmons set in June with his three-year, $105.8 million extension with the Tennessee ***** ans.
Carter is the second linchpin of the Eagles' line to sign a sizable extension this offseason after fellow defensive tackle Jordan Davis in March agreed to a three-year, $78 million pact.
Carter, 25, had two years remaining on his rookie deal after the Eagles in April exercised his fifth-year option.

#Eagles #extension #reports #deal

Tennessee **** ans All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is admittedly jealous that his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, took the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl in his first year with the team.
In one year under Vrabel, the Patriots went from a walking disaster as a 4-13 team to a championship contender that tied for an NFL-best 14-3 record. Simmons didn't doubt that Vrabel could create much-needed change for the struggling Patriots, but he didn't expect the team to make such a massive turnaround so quickly.
"Was I surprised? I mean, I think we all would be surprised, this guy's first year in New England and they go straight to the Super Bowl," Simmons said, when appearing on The Set with Terron Armstead. "First off, I'm jealous as **** . Like what? I was just with you for four years, and you couldn't get me to the Super Bowl? But nah man, I could literally call Vrabel right now, and he'd answer the phone.
"...I think that's the biggest thing with Vrabel. I can feel it's the same with [Titans coach Robert] Saleh, when you can build a relationship with your players off the football field, and not just when you touch the football field, they're gonna play as hard as they can for you."
The Patriots looked like a completely different team under Vrabel's leadership. He's a hard-nosed coach and a player's coach rolled into one man.

SAN DIEGO – Former NFL wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has reached a deal with prosecutors in San Diego to have two felony insurance fraud charges against him dismissed if he meets certain conditions within 60 days, including 50 hours of volunteer work service and a $2,500 payment to the driver whose car he rear-ended in September.
Jeffery, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018, was arrested in April after failing to appear in court for his arraignment on these charges in March. He allegedly had no insurance when his 2021 Mercedes-Benz crashed into another car from behind on northbound Interstate 5 in San Diego Sept. 21. But he filed an insurance claim stating the accident occurred Sept. 28, not Sept. 21, after obtaining a new insurance policy Sept. 24, three days after the crash actually happened, according to court records obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
The insurance company denied the claim after obtaining evidence from the other driver that documented the actual date of the accident.
The conditions for dismissal were signed July 10 by Jeffery, his attorney Brian Watwins and San Diego Deputy District Attorney H. Meliana Johnson, according to a copy of the document obtained by USA TODAY Sports. Those conditions are:
∎ $840.46 paid to Kemper Insurance.

The Tennessee ****** ans made some massive changes to their defense in both free agency and the draft in hopes of improving in 2026.
While their 2025 defense did have some solid moments, it was inconsistent and too ****** e to giving up big plays at the worst possible moment. Now, with veterans like John Franklin-Myers, Alontae Taylor, and Cor’Dale Flott joining Jeffery Simmons and Cedric Gray, new head coach Robert Saleh looks to right the ship.
How much have they improved? Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report outlines his projected best and worst outcomes for the ****** ans’ defense.
Tennessee ****** ans
Best Case

The Tennessee ****** ans 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 ****** ure 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 "NFL Top 100" countdown for 2026 began on June 22, with the league unveiling its players' votes for the best and most unstoppable players in the NFL heading into the fall.
In the 2025 edition, the Tennessee ****** ans were shut out from the list, with not even star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons cracking the top 100. That's unlikely to be the case in 2026, with Simmons just days removed from signing a contract extension to be the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in league history and following up a year where he led his position group in sacks, quarterback pressures and pressure rate.
But the question remains: Where will Simmons land on the countdown, and will other ****** ans crack the cut? Here's a breakdown of The Tennessean's predictions for where the ****** ans' top contenders will (or won't) land on the NFL Top 100.
Chris Jones has been the top-ranked interior defensive lineman on the countdown each of the last three years, slotting at No. 10 in 2023, No. 6 in 2024 and No. 12 in 2025. Let's be realistic: Simmons probably won't crack the top 10, not because he's any worse than Jones was, but because he's not playing for a team that's in the Super Bowl every year.
Prediction: No. 16