So, here we are in January 2026, and the Nashville air is a little colder than usual—mostly because the Tennessee Titans just wrapped up a 2025 season that felt like a fever dream. If you followed this team, you know the main talking point wasn't just the wins and losses. It was the backfield. Specifically, it was the curious, often frustrating, and statistically weird saga of Tony Pollard.
When the Titans signed Pollard to that three-year, $21.75 million deal back in 2024, the idea was simple. He was supposed to be the lightning to Tyjae Spears’... well, more lightning.
But things didn't exactly go to script.
The 1,000-Yard Ghost
Let's get one thing straight: Tony Pollard is a workhorse. People used to doubt that when he was backing up Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas, but his time in Tennessee has proven he can handle the volume. For the second year in a row with the Titans, Pollard crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark. He finished the 2025 regular season with exactly 1,082 rushing yards on 242 carries.
That’s a healthy 4.5 yards per clip.
On paper, he looks like a locked-in RB1. But if you actually watched the games, particularly that Week 14 explosion against the Browns where he went for 161 yards and two scores, you saw a player who still has that home-run gear. Yet, the consistency wasn't always there. He had games like the Week 12 loss to Seattle where he averaged a miserable 1.8 yards per carry.
It’s been a rollercoaster. Honestly, the biggest surprise wasn't Pollard's yardage; it was how much the Titans relied on him despite having Tyjae Spears waiting in the wings.
The Tyjae Spears Factor (and the Injury Bug)
Tyjae Spears is the guy every Titans fan wants to see more of. He's electric. But 2025 was a tough year for him. He missed a massive chunk of the early season after landing on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason. He didn't even get designated to return until October.
When he did come back, the split was never quite what the "experts" predicted.
While OC Nick Holz kept telling the media he envisioned a 50/50 split, Pollard remained the alpha. Spears finished the year with 283 rushing yards and 264 receiving yards. Respectable for a guy who missed a third of the season, sure, but not the "takeover" many expected.
There was a moment in Week 16, a win against the Chiefs, where it felt like the tide was turning. Spears had 105 total yards and looked like the best player on the field. Then, Week 18 against the Jaguars happened. Three carries for 18 yards. That's it. It’s been that kind of year for the sophomore back.
What the 2026 Offseason Means for Pollard
This is where it gets spicy. As we sit here in mid-January, the Titans are in the middle of a massive coaching search. Brian Callahan is out, and the rumors are flying. Names like Arthur Smith—yes, the former Titans OC—are interviewing for the head job.
Why does this matter for Tony Pollard? Money.
Pollard is entering the final year of his deal in 2026. He’s scheduled to carry a cap hit of $9.25 million. Here’s the kicker: the Titans can cut him and only take a $2 million dead cap hit. That would save them $7.25 million in cold, hard cash.
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- Scenario A: A new, run-heavy coach (like Arthur Smith) comes in and sees Pollard as the perfect veteran to pair with Spears for one more run.
- Scenario B: The front office decides they've seen enough and wants to hand the keys to Spears while drafting a "big back" to handle the goal-line work.
Pollard's family owns a BBQ joint in Memphis—Pollard's Bar-B-Q. He’s a local legend. Cutting him would be a tough PR move, but the NFL is a business. If the new regime wants a fresh start at QB and more cap space to fix the offensive line, Pollard might be the odd man out.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pollard's 2025
People keep saying Pollard "lost a step." I don't buy it.
His yards after contact stayed elite—he racked up 752 yards after contact this season. That tells you the offensive line was the bigger issue. He was getting hit in the backfield more than almost any other back in the AFC. He didn't lose his speed; he just lost his path.
Also, his receiving production dipped. He only had 33 catches this year compared to 55 his last year in Dallas. That's not on Pollard; that's on a scheme that failed to utilize his best trait.
Next Steps for Titans Fans and Fantasy Managers
If you're holding Pollard in a dynasty league or just wondering what his jersey will look like next year, keep your eyes on the coaching hires this month.
- Watch the HC Hire: If the Titans go with a defensive-minded coach or a "ground and pound" offensive coordinator, Pollard's value actually goes up because they'll want his veteran reliability.
- The March 1st Deadline: Watch for any news regarding a roster bonus or contract restructure. If the Titans don't touch his contract by early March, he’s likely staying.
- Draft Strategy: Regardless of what happens with Pollard, the Titans need a power back. Neither Pollard nor Spears is built for 3rd-and-1 in the rain against the Texans. Expect them to target a mid-round bruiser in the 2026 Draft.
Tony Pollard is still a top-tier talent in this league. Whether he's doing it in Nashville or somewhere else in 2026, he’s proved he’s more than just a change-of-pace back. He’s a survivor.