The Tennessee Titans were very active leading up to the NFL trade deadline. They traded Jeffery Simmons to the Chicago Bears, and Amani Hooker to the Buffalo Bills. By doing so, Mike Borgonzi acquired four total picks, including two first-rounders for Simmons, and an additional second-rounder for Hooker.
One player who was not traded was running back Tony Pollard. Reports had consistently indicated the Titans preferred to hold onto Pollard because he’s been helping with the development and evaluation
of Cam Ward. Regardless of how that makes you feel, it seems those reports were accurate.
Pollard is in a contract year. It was previous GM Ran Carthon who signed the former Memphis standout to a three-year, $21.7 million contract prior to the 2024 campaign. Pollard is currently the 22nd-highest paid back in the league, proving that contract has aged well.
But declining opportunities to trade a 29-year-old RB on an expiring contract when you’re rebuilding the roster is an interesting tactic. It makes us wonder if Borgonzi is considering re-signing Pollard. He’s due for unrestricted free agency.
The running back market has been reset by recent deals for Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Saquon Barkley. They are among four RBs earning more than $20 million annually (alongside Jonathan Taylor). Pollard obviously isn’t that tier of back, but the increases in pay will impact his negotiations, too.
Given Pollard’s age, the Titans shouldn’t re-sign him to longer than a two-year extension. Given his advancing age, they’ll want to protect themselves against overpaying for a declining talent. Signing Pollard to a two-year, $20 million contract feels fair.
Pollard would earn $10 million annually, making him the 16th-highest paid back in the NFL right behind Kyren Williams ($11m AAV). Other happenings around the league might impact this, but that feels like the appropriate range for a Pollard extension.
