Titans' New Defensive Coordinator on Jeffery Simmons: 'He Can Affect the Game by Himself'

Dennard Wilson, the Tennessee Titans' new defensive coordinator, is looking forward to rebuilding a defense that is anchored by two-time All-Pro lineman Jeffery Simmons.

NASHVILLE – Newly hired Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson revealed has been on the job for two days, but he already knows that the rebuilding work begins with Jeffery Simmons.

The defensive lineman is a team leader for the Titans — a captain and a disruptor of offenses.

His resumé includes two All-Pro selections and two Pro Bowl selections. Despite missing five games in 2023, Simmons completed his fifth NFL season with 5.5 sacks, 44 tackles (30 solos), one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. 

Wilson recognizes Simmons' talent.

"Well, obviously, I had a talk with him the other day. Man, he has a great personality. Outstanding young man," Wilson said. "But when you watch him play, he's a big guy. He's versatile. He can play the 3-technique. He can play outside. He's explosive. He has great hands. He can affect the game by himself."

Simmons said during Super Bowl week that he wants to be one of the players leading the effort to get players to buy into what Wilson and head coach Brian Callahan are bringing to the Titans. 

"I am going to make sure I can keep the locker room tight, and make sure no matter what it might be, no matter the situation, of course, we just got a new head coach, I think it's going to be simple: Buy in or you just have to get left behind," Simmons said. "For me, being a captain and a leader on this team, my job is to keep holding my end up on that."

Wilson looks forward to their collaboration: "To have players like that and put them in positions to have success, it's a wonderful thing coming in here when you have a guy that plays at that level." 

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