Robert Saleh: D-line rotation designed to keep Jeffery Simmons fresh

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Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has played more than 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps in each of the last six seasons and his performance was good enough for the team to sign him to a three-year contract extension this offseason. While that might suggest more of the same in 2026, the Titans' new head coach has something different in mind. Robert Saleh said during the team's offseason program that the team is designing a defensive line rotation that will cut down on Simmons's snaps. Saleh said that if Simmons is "able to go to 50 plays out of 60, he's not doing it right" and that the team is prioritizing certain downs and situations for their All-Pro. "The whole point of the rotation is to make sure that Jeffrey Simmons is ready for that one-on-one when we need it," Saleh said, via Turron Davenport of ESPN.com. "Third down, two minute, make sure he's fresh, ready to roll and ready to exert every last fiber in his body and winning that one-on-one. So that's really the purpose behind it." Simmons said this offseason that he feels Saleh's attacking defensive approach is well suited for his style of play and the Titans' plan to take advantage of that is to focus on quality over quantity.