It’s not a question of if the Tennessee Titans will pick up Jeffery Simmons’ fifth-year option, but when — and now we know how much it’ll cost.
The NFL released exact figures for fifth-year options in 2023, which have to be decided upon by May 2 of this year, and Simmons’ comes in at $10.7 million.
The Mississippi State product missed out on more money thanks to having no Pro Bowl selections. Simmons did end up making the Pro Bowl this year, but because he wasn’t initially voted in it doesn’t count towards the formula for figuring out fifth-year option prices.
Fifth-year option numbers. Teams have until May 2 to exercise the options for players selected in the 2019 Draft. pic.twitter.com/0nAnViUtk6
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2022
Also included in the release was the figures for the franchise tag, something the Titans could use on outside linebacker Harold Landry.
The cost of the tag for Landry’s position comes in at $18.7 million, which is higher than what was projected. The deadline for franchise tags is on March 8 at 4 p.m. ET.
Picking up Simmons’ fifth-year option is a no-brainer, as the former first-round pick has not only become one of the best players on the team, but one of the best players at his position in the NFL.
The 24-year-old had his best season in 2021, totaling career-highs in sacks (8.5), combined tackles (54), QB Hits (16), and passes defended (six), while also playing a key role in Tennessee’s defensive turnaround.
Tennessee took on a chance on Simmons when it drafted him with the No. 19 overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft, and that choice has paid massive dividends.
The Titans can enjoy Simmons coming relatively cheap for a bit longer, but once the time comes to give him a new contract, he’s going to get the bag.
