Now a seasoned veteran, the Tulane product honors his legendary mentor’s legacy by guiding a new generation of rushers while fighting to secure his future in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Titans drafted running back Tyjae Spears out of Tulane in the 2023 NFL Draft.
When he got to the Titans, Spears was mentored by Titans legend Derrick Henry. Unfortunately, that would end up being Henry's last season with the franchise.
Henry was let go by the Titans in the offseason and ended up with the Baltimore Ravens. Henry hasn't missed a beat since leaving the Titans.
He nearly joined the 2,000-yard club again in 2024, finishing with 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns that season. Henry put together another solid season last year, ending with 1,595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Life hits you fast in the NFL.
Spears is now one of the veterans in the running back room and is preparing for his fourth season with the Titans. Things have definitely changed from the time he got to Nashville in 2023.
Henry is no longer there, and the running back room now consists of Tony Pollard, Spears, Nicholas Singleton, Julius Chestnut, Michael Carter and Kalel Mullings.
Henry might not be with the franchise anymore, but the impact he had on Spears is still around today. Spears shared at a recent press conference that he is taking it upon himself to mentor the running backs now, passing on what Henry did for him as a rookie.
"I was once that young guy," Spears said. "I had Derrick Henry, and he was pushing me each and every day like that. Telling me the things that I was doing good at. Telling me things that I needed to work on, but just being there for me. So, I'll never forget that."
Spears is entering a pivotal year of his Titans tenure. His rookie contract is set to expire in 2027. So far, he hasn't been able to play a full season since his rookie year in 2023.
He played in 12 games in 2024 and 13 last year due to injury.
Head coach Robert Saleh stated earlier in the offseason that Pollard and Spears are going to be the bell cows of the backfield. Singleton is most likely going to compete for the No. 3 spot in the backfield with Carter.
However, if Spears goes down with an injury again, he may lose his spot to whoever wins that No. 3 job at running back.
Whether Spears continues his career with the Titans after this season or not, it's great to see him paying it forward just like Henry did with him when he first entered the league in 2023.
