Rams Get Serious About Titans' Superstar Defensive Lineman

The Los Angeles Rams are not taking Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons lightly

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) greets fans after warmups before an NFL pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Rams will be taking on a game-wrecking force in Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. Simmons, a two-time All-Pro, currently sits as the Titans' best chance to control the line of scrimmage. While the Rams must stop him in order to win, the team made it clear that the task is a lot easier said than done. Here's what the team had to say.

Mike LaFleur

Jun 3, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur at press conference during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“He's a stud," stated Rams OC Mike LaFleur. "He's been a stud. I had the opportunity, if you will, to play him a few times. It's not fun, but again, you like going against some of the best and seeing them at their craft. He doesn't take plays off. This guy is a beast inside, in both phases, the run and the pass game. He sticks out. There’s a reason he's one of the better interior linemen in this league. He plays the right way.”

Matthew Stafford

“They're a really physical defense," stated Matthew Stafford. "He's obviously an unbelievable player inside. He does a hell of a job for them. He is really disruptive, strong, gets off on the count, physical, fast and plays with a nasty streak. I mean he's a really good player. They’ve got a lot of good players on their defense."

Sep 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) looks to pass during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

"I think they're really sound. They give you multiple looks, especially in the back end. You have to go out there and trust what your eyes see, go out there and play ball, get through progressions and that's what they want you to do and try to collapse the pocket while they're doing that. They have a really good defense. They’re physical and fast. There are a bunch of different things to look at on the back end and that'll be a big challenge for us.”

The Titans Defense

The Titans are expected to run a base 3-4 defense with Simmons, former Rams defensive linemen Sebastian Joseph-Day, and T'Vondre Sweat beefing up the interior. However, Sweat has been dealing with an injury issue.

Tennessee Titans defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) celebrates a tackle during the first quarter of an NFL pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Titans have an underrated rookie linebacker in Femi Oladejo, who could surprise many. He's another Joker-type player, very versatile, who I had the pleasure of meeting during his time at UCLA. He's consistent, dedicated to his craft, and shifty.

The team has a young secondary, and while their corners are subject to getting exposed, watch out for the safeties. They're good, but sometimes they leave a little bit too much space on the outside.

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