There is some mystery surrounding the 2024 Tennessee Titans. That’s what happens when you have a coaching change.
Brian Callahan is in as the new head coach. Callahan spent the past few seasons as Joe Burrow’s offensive coordinator with the Cincinnati Bengals. Callahan was brought in to mentor Tennessee’s young quarterback, Will Levis.
This offseason, the Titans revamped the entire team, signing free-agent wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, running back Tony Pollard, center Lloyd Cushenberry and spending a first-round pick on left tackle JC Latham.
Callahan stated that Pollard will split time at running back with Tennessee’s 2023 third-round pick, Tyjae Spears. Spears looked phenomenal at times during training camp and the preseason.
However, one NFL insider believes the 2024 season could be big for Pollard.
In his annual surprise predictions for all 32 NFL teams in 2024, ESPN’s Dan Graziano said not to be surprised if Pollard has a bounce-back season.
Don’t be surprised if … Tony Pollard has a bounce-back season.
What I’m hearing: Pollard is one year further removed from his 2022 season-ending ankle injury, which can only help. The Titans signed him on the first day of free agency to a fairly substantial contract (for a running back, anyway) at three years and $24 million. Yes, they have Tyjae Spears in the backfield as well, but I’m not sure they view Spears as ready to take over the lead role all by himself.
I doubt Pollard ends up with twice as many touches as Spears, the way Derrick Henry did last season. But I also expect this team to lean fairly heavily on the backs as both runners and pass catchers while it brings Will Levis along at quarterback. And Tennessee seems to view Pollard’s experience as a differentiating factor between him and Spears, who is in Year 2. Pollard — who went over 1,000 rushing yards for a second straight year last season — is my bet to be the lead back in Tennessee.
The Titans have a good running back situation. Spears and Pollard have similar styles, and both can impact the passing game. It’s definitely a new day in Tennessee, with franchise legend Derrick Henry no longer leading the Titans’ backfield.