Tennessee faces a looming backfield overhaul as key players approach free agency, potentially clearing the path for one to seize a starting role.
The Tennessee Titans weren't afraid to cut ties with multiple starters from last year's team this offseason, and even said goodbye to players during the 2025 campaign.
Veteran slot receiver Tyler Lockett was the starter at the beginning of last year, but was then traded to the Las Vegas Raiders at the deadline. Dre'Mont Jones, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., and Roger McCreary were also traded during the season.
Van Jefferson lost his starting spot to rookie Elic Ayomanor early into the season.
This offseason, the Titans released center Lloyd Cushenberry to free up space for free agency. Right guard Kevin Zeitler, tight end Chig Okonkwo, Sebastian Joseph-Day and Arden Key left in free agency.
Defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat was traded to the New York Jets this offseason for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.
Which starters could the Titans say goodbye to from this year's team? It could very well be at running back.
Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are set to have their contracts run out in 2027, via Spotrac.
If the Titans moved on from Pollard, it may raise some questions. Why would they? He just had another 1,000-yard season in 2025 and is in line to continue that trend this season.
However, he will be 30 next April, and we know how volatile the running back position is in the NFL. It wasn't too long ago that the Titans released Derrick Henry for a similar reason.
It may come as a shock at first if the Titans don't re-sign Pollard after what he's done for the franchise, but he may command more than the team is willing to pay for a running back who will be in his 30s.
For Spears, releasing him may not come as much as a surprise compared to Pollard.
Although he's been reliable when healthy, he hasn't been able to play a full season since his rookie year. Spears played in 17 games in 2023 but has played in 25 games over the last two years.
If the Titans move on from Spears, this could pave the way for Nicholas Singleton to have a bigger role in the backfield, especially if they decide to let Pollard walk as well.
As it stands, the Titans' plan is to have Pollard and Spears be the focus of the backfield again in 2025. Head coach Robert Saleh stated publicly that Singleton has to compete to earn a spot in the RB rotation.
However, if the Titans get rid of both Spears and Pollard, the door will be open for him to win the RB1 role.
Will the Titans be willing to change their running back room drastically after this season?
