Jeffery Simmons reveals painful secret from his Titans season
The Tennessee Titans’ 2022 season came to a gut-wrenching end with Saturday night’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game itself was a microcosm of the Titans’ season. The defense gave the team plenty of chances to win, but the offense couldn’t stay out of its own way. Jeffery Simmons was the heart and soul […]
The Tennessee Titans’ 2022 season came to a gut-wrenching end with Saturday night’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The game itself was a microcosm of the Titans’ season. The defense gave the team plenty of chances to win, but the offense couldn’t stay out of its own way.
Jeffery Simmons was the heart and soul of the Titans' defense in 2022. Simmons battled through injury for much of the season, somehow managing to record 7.5 sacks and showing up in plenty big moments.
Simmons fielded questions from his locker after the loss. With tears streaming down his face, Simmons described the adversity that this season brought.
“Me personally, I’ve battled through so much [expletive], man,” Simmons said while fighting back tears. “I’ve been shooting my ankle up since Week 8. These guys in the locker room, I love ‘em. No matter what, I wanted to be on that field.”
The pain in Simmons’ voice is chilling. He emptied the tank, leaving it all on the field for this team.
“These guys meant so much to me, man. Just wanted to be on the field –hurt – I didn’t care. I’m a fighter. I’m a warrior. I’m gonna give it all to my guys because that’s how much I love the game and this locker room. I appreciate these boys so much. We’ll find a way next year and be better as a team. We’re gonna figure it out.”
Pay The Man
Looking ahead, the Titans will have to address Simmons’ contract situation this off-season. The two-time Pro Bowler is looking for a lucrative deal in his second NFL contract. While most fans would be fine if the team to throw a blank check at him, the decision will be left up to the new general manager, whomever that may be.
At the end of the day, extending Simmons back should be at the top of the Titans’ off-season priority list. And his postgame comments seem to hint at a return.
After all, the price the team paid last off-season after choosing frugality over its last home-grown star proved costly. Surely Tennessee knows better than to make that same mistake twice.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
