John Franklin-Meyer’s “Super Power” will determine whether Titans defense can take huge step forward
NASHVILLE — John Franklin-Meyers is not the same caliber of defensive lineman that Tennessee Titans All-Pro Jeffery Simmons is. After signing the former to a three-year, $63 million deal in free agency to play alongside Simmons, Tennessee expects JFM to help bring Simmons’ game to another level. Franklin-Meyers also played for new Titans coach Robert […]
NASHVILLE — John Franklin-Meyers is not the same caliber of defensive lineman that Tennessee Titans All-Pro Jeffery Simmons is. After signing the former to a three-year, $63 million deal in free agency to play alongside Simmons, Tennessee expects JFM to help bring Simmons’ game to another level.
Franklin-Meyers also played for new Titans coach Robert Saleh from 2021-23 with the New York Jets.
Eight sacks with the Denver Broncos last season made Franklin-Meyers one of the league’s most disruptive players. That total ranked him fifth among qualified defensive linemen in 2025. Simmons, despite his team’s 3-14 finish, set a career high with 12 sacks and was the NFL’s best interior player on defense.
Saleh’s system should unleash both and wreak havoc.
“Coach Saleh is one of the best coaches I’ve had,” Franklin-Meyers told media via Zoom this week. “I think he’s a leader of men. He understands football. He understands, from a player perspective, how to relate to players. I think that when you get a group of guys together, it takes a special kind of guy to be able to lead a group of men. He does a great job of doing it.”
As a tactician, Saleh has been highly effective.
Focusing on the defensive front and how best to platoon players and keep fresh legs has been one of the core tenets of the new coach’s system. The Titans added three new corners, traded for Jets edge rusher Jermanie Johnson and Cowboys defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, signed three more players up front and added linebacker Mohamoud Diabate over the weekend. Tennessee’s defense will be one of the most transformed units anywhere in football next season.
Franklin-Meyers must live up to lofty expectations.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
