Titans' Jeffery Simmons 'Excited to Work' with New Coach Saleh

Star defensive tackle says Saleh's energy is 'contagious' and he can't wait to get started.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:47am

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Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons expressed his excitement to work with new head coach Robert Saleh in an interview at the Super Bowl. Simmons praised Saleh's energy and said it will have a 'domino effect' on the entire team. Simmons also revealed he plans to participate in the team's upcoming OTAs, a change from last year.

Why it matters

Simmons is a key player for the Titans, and his enthusiasm for the new coaching staff signals a positive shift in the team's culture and direction. Saleh's reputation for energizing his players could be exactly what the Titans need to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The details

In a podcast appearance on Radio Row at the Super Bowl, Simmons opened up about his thoughts on new Titans head coach Robert Saleh. Simmons said several respected players reached out to him praising Saleh's energy and passion, which Simmons described as 'contagious.' Simmons also revealed he plans to participate in the team's upcoming OTAs, something he did not do in 2025, indicating he is fully bought into the new coaching staff's vision.

  • Simmons made these comments during Super Bowl week in 2026.

The players

Jeffery Simmons

A star defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans.

Robert Saleh

The new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, known for his energetic and passionate coaching style.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, first off, when we made the hire, I didn't have, like, I want to say like five guys reached out, really from guys that I respect, Quinny, Wen, Aziz, Lafar Buckner, them guys just DM'd me saying, Bro, you are going to love Coach Tally.”

— Jeffery Simmons, Titans Defensive Tackle

“Just his energy, man, like you could tell it's real, like you know when you watch the tape, you see when you're watching prime time games, and you see the camera going to him and come out and make a play and just how fired up he is on it. It's contagious. When you get it, it's like a domino effect if it starts at the top, and it just bleeds down to the team.”

— Jeffery Simmons, Titans Defensive Tackle

What’s next

Simmons plans to participate in the Titans' upcoming OTAs, a change from last year, signaling his full buy-in to the new coaching staff's vision for the team.

The takeaway

Jeffery Simmons' enthusiasm for new Titans head coach Robert Saleh's energy and passion suggests the team's culture is shifting in a positive direction. If Saleh can harness that energy and translate it to on-field success, the Titans could be poised for a bounce-back season in 2026.