Robert Saleh plans to rotate Jeffery Simmons for key snaps
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh plans a defensive line rotation that will reduce Jeffery Simmons' snap count after the star DT signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension. The goal is to keep Simmons fresh for third downs and two-minute drives—not to bench him, but to maximize his one-on-one impact when it matters most.
The shift marks a significant change for an All-Pro who has played at least 80% of Tennessee's defensive snaps in every available season since 2020. Saleh's aggressive, upfield scheme demands maximum effort on every rep—and the new head coach believes strategic rest will make Simmons more dangerous, not less.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Saleh is designing a D-line rotation to cut Jeffery Simmons' workload after a record $105.8M extension.
- Saleh wants Simmons fresh for third downs, two-minute drills, and winning one-on-one pass-rush matchups.
- Simmons has logged 750+ snaps in full seasons and played 80%+ of defensive snaps since 2020.
- Despite fewer snaps, analysts still rank Simmons among the NFL's elite interior defenders.
- Simmons posted career-high 11 sacks in 2025 and has Defensive Player of the Year upside in Saleh's attack scheme.
Why is Robert Saleh limiting Jeffery Simmons' snaps?
Saleh said during minicamp that "the whole point of the rotation is to make sure that Jeffrey Simmons is ready for that one-on-one when we need it," via Turron Davenport of ESPN. Third down and two-minute situations are the priority.
The former defensive coordinator wants interior linemen to penetrate and disrupt, not hold the line in two-gap looks Simmons played under past regimes. Saleh put it bluntly: "If he's able to go to 50 plays out of 60, he's not doing it right."
NBC Sports reported that Simmons feels Saleh's attacking approach suits his style—and Tennessee's plan focuses on quality reps over raw quantity. Saleh had not yet held a formal sit-down with Simmons about the rep plan when he spoke last month.
How much will Jeffery Simmons actually play in 2026?
According to NFL.com, Simmons has played at least 80% of defensive snaps per season when available dating back to 2020, per Pro Football Reference. In every season with at least 15 games, he has exceeded 750 total snaps.
Simmons is pushing back in the best way he knows. "I want to show him that maybe I could go six plays instead of the four that they're talking about," he said at minicamp. He also said he is in the best shape of his career after fixing a lingering elbow issue.
What do the rankings say about Simmons' elite status?
As Music City Miracles noted during NFL list season, ESPN ranked Simmons the No. 2 defensive tackle—though Titans fans bristled at Leonard Williams landing ahead of him. NFL Network's top 100 placed him at No. 83, which drew even more criticism from the Nashville faithful.
Those debates underscore why Tennessee invested $100 million guaranteed in Simmons this offseason. Even with a lighter snap load planned, the franchise still views him as a cornerstone worth building around under its new coaching staff.
Can fewer snaps still mean Defensive Player of the Year upside?
Next Gen Stats credited Simmons with 60 QB pressures, a 13.9% pressure rate, and 11 sacks in 2025—all league-highs among defensive tackles. He also led interior defenders with 26 quick pressures and a 6% quick pressure rate despite schemes that did not always free him up.
Project that production into a defense built for upfield penetration, and the case for trimming reps looks strategic rather than punitive. For more on how teams balance star workload with scheme fit, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
NFL.com's Kevin Patra concluded Simmons has Defensive Player of the Year upside in Saleh's scheme—and that holding back a few snaps should not cap his 2026 ceiling. The bet is simple: fresher Simmons, bigger moments.