Watching the New England Patriots reach Super Bowl LX in their first season under head coach Mike Vrabel left Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons green with envy.
Simmons played for Vrabel from 2019-23. During that span, the Titans made the playoffs three times but failed to reach the “Big Game.” The DT admitted he didn’t expect his former coach to immediately do in New England what he never did in Tennessee.
Jeffery Simmons admits he’s jealous of Patriots
“Man, I think we would all be surprised if this guy, first year in New England, they go straight to the Super Bowl,” Simmons recently said on retired NFL offensive tackle Terron Armstead’s podcast (h/t theScore’s Brenden Deeg). “First off, I’m jealous as hell. Like what? I was just with you for four years, and you couldn’t get me to the Super Bowl.”
The closest the Titans came to the Super Bowl was during the 2019 season, when they reached the AFC Championship Game but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-24. Tennessee has spiraled since firing Vrabel after the 2023 season, going 6-28 over its past 34 games.
The Titans fired HC Brian Callahan after Week 6 last season, replacing him with Robert Saleh this offseason. Despite going 20-36 in four seasons with the New York Jets (2021-23), due in part to poor quarterback play, Simmons believes Saleh’s second stint as an HC could be much more successful. He noted his ability to inspire players reminds him of Vrabel’s.
“It’s the same with [Saleh]: When you can build a relationship with your players off the football field and not just when you touch that football field, they’re going to play as hard as they can for you,” Simmons said. “That’s what Vrabel brings, bro. He just brings that type of energy and that type of, ‘I know I’m not your dad, but I’m going to do everything possible to make you feel safe with me.'”
New England went 14-3 after going 4-13 in 2024. Simmons said, “Why not?” when asked whether the Titans can go from worst to first in their first year under Saleh. The 2025 first-team All-Pro should manage his expectations.
As of Monday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives Tennessee the worst odds (+850) to win the AFC South. Even if Saleh is the right coach for the Titans, it will likely take a multiyear rebuild for the team to regain respectability, let alone play in the Super Bowl.
