​The Tennessee Titans have more than one player who could breakout in 2026. Within the realm of a breakout, quarterback Cam Ward has been singled out, along with tight end Gunnar Helm. Ward just posted 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdown throws and seven interceptions as a rookie. He now enters 2026 with an upgraded receiver corps, featuring Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate, which could help unlock his potential. Helm, meanwhile, demonstrated his dual threat as both a blocker and a receiver last season, showcasing his ability with several contested catches. We even caught a glimpse of his ceiling in the preseason, highlighted by that snag against the Atlanta Falcons. With Chigo Okonkwo no longer looming as the primary option at tight end, Helm is positioned to assume a bigger role and maximize his opportunities.
We have a clear sense of the players who are on the cusp of a breakout season, but there are those who could take a step back as well. The term “bust” is commonly used to describe a draft pick who fails to meet expectations, and a Bleacher Report article by Moe Moton recently outlined bust candidates for every NFL team. For the Titans, Moton highlighted fourth-year running back Tyjae Spears.
According to Moton, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears would serve as the team’s “bell cows” on offense, yet Spears has not proven he can shoulder that workload. In three NFL seasons, Spears has missed nine games, and his rushing totals have declined each year. While he has the pass-catching ability to handle a three-down role, Spears has not yet maximized his opportunities. Tennessee added Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round of this year’s draft, a big-bodied 6’0”, 219-pound back who specializes in downhill running and could complement Pollard more effectively than Spears has so far. Singleton is not expected to become a central piece of the backfield immediately, but his presence could shift how the Titans deploy their runners.
Vrabel has stated that Pollard and Spears will be the primary offensive workhorses, but Spears has faced injury issues that have interrupted his rhythm. He played a full 17 games as a rookie in 2023, yet has since missed nine games across the last two seasons. Beyond injuries, Spears has shown signs of regression: he rushed for 453 yards as a rookie, dropped to 312 yards in 2024 across 12 games, and then posted 283 rushing yards last season. The 2026 campaign could be pivotal for Spears. His contract expiration looms in 2027, and another extended absence or continued decline could seal his fate in Tennessee. The Titans’ addition of Nicholas Singleton sets up a potential rotation that could push Spears further down the depth chart if he cannot stay healthy and sustain production.
If Singleton earns a meaningful role as a rookie, he could steal snaps from Spears, particularly if health once again hinders Spears’ availability. This dynamic adds another layer to the Titans’ backfield and could influence how quickly Spears can reclaim a lead role if he remains available and productive. An underwhelming season for Spears would heighten questions about whether he can fulfill a three-down profile in the modern NFL, especially with Pollard locked in as a focal point of the offense.
In sum, the Titans’ 2026 outlook presents a mix of potential breakout candidates and riskier projections. Cam Ward and Gunnar Helm stand out as players who could elevate their games with improved weapons and greater opportunity. On the flip side, Tyjae Spears faces significant hurdles, including health and production consistency, with Nicholas Singleton waiting in the wings to seize a larger portion of the load if Spears cannot stay on the field or perform at a high level. The coming season will be telling for how these separate paths unfold and what they mean for the Titans’ long-term plans.