The price for elite defensive tackles keeps climbing, and the Eagles' eventual decision on Jalen Carter just got more expensive. Jeffery Simmons agreed to a three-year, $105.8 million contract extension with the ****** ans that includes $100 million guaranteed, a massive deal that resets the financial conversation for interior defensive linemen and provides another marker for Carter's eventual negotiations in Philadelphia. Simmons, one of Tennessee's franchise pillars, earned the payday after a dominant season in which he posted a career-high 11 sacks, broke Jurrell Casey's franchise record for sacks in a season by a ****** ans defensive tackle and led NFL interior defensive linemen in solo tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, sack yards, quarterback pressures, pressure rate and forced fumbles.
That deal matters to the Eagles because Carter is tracking toward the same market neighborhood, even if his timeline is different.
Philadelphia already exercised Carter's fifth-year option, keeping him under team control through 2027. Because he is a two-time Pro Bowler, that option is worth $27.127 million, a significant figure that still could look team-friendly if Carter's next contract pushes toward the top of the defensive tackle market. Simmons' deal does not automatically mean Carter will land the same structure, but it gives his representation another data point in a market where rare interior disruptors are becoming increasingly expensive.
The ****** ans made their position clear when announcing the agreement.
"Jeffery Simmons is a pillar for our franchise and embodies what it means to be a ****** an," ****** ans general manager Mike Borgonzi said in a statement. "He's the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League and you win with players like Jeffery. 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."
That deal matters to the Eagles because Carter is tracking toward the same market neighborhood, even if his timeline is different.
Philadelphia already exercised Carter's fifth-year option, keeping him under team control through 2027. Because he is a two-time Pro Bowler, that option is worth $27.127 million, a significant figure that still could look team-friendly if Carter's next contract pushes toward the top of the defensive tackle market. Simmons' deal does not automatically mean Carter will land the same structure, but it gives his representation another data point in a market where rare interior disruptors are becoming increasingly expensive.
The ****** ans made their position clear when announcing the agreement.
"Jeffery Simmons is a pillar for our franchise and embodies what it means to be a ****** an," ****** ans general manager Mike Borgonzi said in a statement. "He's the premier defensive tackle in the National Football League and you win with players like Jeffery. 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."
2 months ago
