Tony Pollard faces ranking drop yet remains key to Titans’ success and Cam Ward’s development

Tony Pollard’s Role in Titans’ Future—and Why Cam Ward’s Development Matters:

As Tony Pollard gets ready to lace ’em up for another season in Nashville, he’s stepping into his second year with the Tennessee Titans. Marking a remarkable seven seasons overall in the NFL, Pollard’s solid debut for the Titans saw him chew up 1,079 yards on the ground. Not exactly a walk in the park, that. Despite his on-field feats, former Jaguars legend Maurice Jones-Drew has slotted Pollard into the No. 23 spot on his list of NFL starting running backs. Seems a bit lukewarm for a guy with Pollard’s stats, doesn’t it?

Running back Tony Pollard #20 of the Tennessee Titans during phase 3 practice at the Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on May 28, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

Pollard: The Silver Lining Amidst Offensive Woes

Let’s just say, Titans’ fans have had their patience tested—last season was, let’s be honest, a bit of a slog offensively. Yet Pollard stood tall, becoming what Jones-Drew affectionately calls a “bright spot.” Three straight years north of 1,000 rushing yards do speak for themselves. As the Titans eye a strategic overhaul under the new offensive coordinator, Brian Callahan, Pollard’s experience could very well be the keystone. His ground game know-how could alleviate some of the growing pains for rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who’s expected to shoulder hefty expectations being the Titans’ top draft pick.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Pollard, at 28, is on a ticking clock—two more years on his current deal, which lines up with the contract of the up-and-comer Tyjae Spears. Spears, only in his third NFL season after an impressive stint at Tulane, could be nipping at Pollard’s heels for more carries if he stays injury-free. While it’s Pollard’s backfield to lose, let’s not rule out Spears wrestling away a larger chunk of the workload.

As training camp looms with its July 22 start, Pollard and his squad are squeezing every last drop out of the offseason downtime. Those upcoming sessions will be pivotal—not just for Pollard’s fine-tuning—but also for cohesive team play. After all, the Titans’ fate might just hang on Pollard hitting his stride and aiding Cam Ward’s adjustment to NFL defenses.

In a league notorious for the fickle fate of running backs, Pollard’s journey speaks volumes about resilience. As the Titans aim to rebound from a lackluster campaign, Pollard faces the daunting task of proving that his contributions still anchor this franchise. Can Pollard defy the doubters and secure his legacy with the Titans? There’s certainly a lot riding on it, both for him and for the future of the team.

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Tony Pollard faces ranking drop yet remains key to Titans’ success and Cam Ward’s development

Pollard: The Silver Lining Amidst Offensive Woes

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