​The Tennessee Titans overhauled a large portion of their roster in the offseason and appear to be turning the corner, showing signs of upward momentum. Yet as many anticipated, they couldn’t solve every question they faced. One area that stayed largely unchanged was the backfield. Although they drafted Nick Singleton from Penn State, most of the carries are still expected to go to Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. This backfield duo isn’t highly regarded by Sharp Football’s offseason rankings, ranking No. 25 overall for the Titans.
The decision to run it back with Pollard and Spears, despite limited production last season, has drawn scrutiny. Even when not getting hit by defenders, Titans’ backs averaged five or more yards on only 38% of their carries, the third-worst rate in the league. Still, this assessment feels somewhat premature, much like the Titans’ front seven. After a slow start to the season, the offense eventually rallied; Pollard finished with another 1,000-yard season and delivered strong performances down the stretch. Spears faced injuries early but showed flashes of excellence later on. The trio, plus Singleton’s potential, could surprise in 2026.
The unit may not have flashy playmaking, but it is dependable and could benefit from having an offensive coordinator who truly understands playcalling in Brian Daboll. In 2024 and early 2025, the Titans’ offense struggled under Brian Callahan, and the offensive line appeared vulnerable under Bill Callahan. The team showed life and potential when those dynamics changed. This recap originally appeared on Titans Wire: How does Titans’ backfield compare to the rest of the NFL?