​The Tennessee Titans’ backfield produced 1,589 rushing yards last season, ranking as the third-worst in the league. Despite some changes to the RB committee, the most notable shift is on the coaching staff with the addition of Brian Daboll as the new offensive coordinator. The former New York Giants head coach is set to install his scheme in Nashville, a move that could redefine the roles of several running backs and boost the offense as a whole. As the Titans prepare for the 2026 season, one NFL writer is making a striking prediction about a member of the Titans’ backfield.
With Daboll orchestrating the offense, Tennessee could ascend to new heights in 2026. Training camp approaches at the end of the month, promising the first real look at Daboll’s system in Tennessee. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton has floated a bold claim: Tyjae Spears could become a bust in 2026 and possibly lose his place on the depth chart. Moton writes that Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has labeled Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears as the team’s “bell cows” on offense, yet Spears has yet to prove he can handle that workload.
Moton notes that Spears has missed nine games across three seasons, and his rushing numbers have declined slightly each year. While Spears has the pass-catching ability to handle a three-down role, he hasn’t consistently capitalized on his opportunities. The Titans selected Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round of this year’s draft. Although Singleton isn’t expected to be a major part of the backfield rotation right away, the 6-foot, 219-pound rookie offers a downhill running style that could complement Pollard’s skill set more effectively than Spears’ current production.
In three NFL seasons, Spears has totaled 1,048 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Pollard, who is the Titans’ RB1, logged 1,082 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the 2025 season. As mentioned, Spears would be second in the rotation, but if his numbers continue to dwindle, he could lose his spot on offense altogether. Spears is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and if his performance does not improve, his market in next year’s free agency could be in jeopardy.
Spears has continued to emphasize improvement heading into the 2026 season. He spoke with the media during offseason workouts, outlining a plan to elevate his performance. “In this league you have to prove yourself each and every day, each and every year,” Spears said, via the Titans. “Consistency overrules everything. I am trying to consistently improve… as a person and a player. And if I do that, everything is going to be better.”