Declining production and recurring injuries place one Titans player under the microscope entering a pivotal contract year.
The Tennessee Titans have more than one player who could breakout in 2026.
In terms of a breakout, quarterback Cam Ward has been mentioned, and even tight end Gunnar Helm.
Ward just had 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a rookie. He now has an upgraded receiver room with Wan'Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate.
Helm showcased his talents last season as a blocker and receiver, making numerous contested catches. We even got a taste of what he can do in the preseason, with that catch he made against the Atlanta Falcons.
Helm is now in a better position with Chig Okonkwo out of the picture as well.
We have a good idea of who is on the cusp of a breakout season, but on the opposite end, there are a few candidates as well.
Typically, the term "bust" is used to describe a draft pick that doesn't live up to expectations. However, a recent article from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton went through and predicted the bust candidates for every NFL team.
For the Titans, it was fourth year running back Tyjae Spears.
"Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are the 'bell cows' of the team, specifically on offense," Moton said. "Yet the latter hasn't shown he can handle that type of workload. In three seasons, Spears has missed nine games, and his rushing numbers have slightly dipped every year. He can handle a three-down role with his pass-catching ability, but the versatile tailback hasn't capitalized on his opportunities. The Titans selected Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round of this year's draft. While he's not considered a big part of the backfield rotation, the 6'0", 219-pounder offers a downhill run style that's a better complement to Pollard's skill set than Spears' capabilities."
Robert Saleh has said that Tony Pollard and Spears will be the bell cows in the backfield this season, but the former Tulane star has had injury issues lately. He played a full 17-game season as a rookie in 2023, but has missed nine combined games over the last two seasons.
Then, aside from the injury issues, there's already been regression for Spears. He had 453 rushing yards as a rookie, then played 12 games and had 312 the following year.
Last season, he had 283 rushing yards.
The 2026 season will be a crucial one for Spears. His contract is set to expire in 2027. If he's unable to play a full season again this year, it may very well be the last time we see him in a Titans uniform.
The team drafted another running back in Nicholas Singleton, who could work his way into the rotation as a rookie. If Singleton earns that No. 3 spot, he could take snaps from Spears if he has the same injury issues again.
Another down year for Spears could be lethal.
