A few weeks ago, it felt like a foregone conclusion that the Tennessee Titans
would release veteran running back Tony Pollard from his contract this coming offseason. The Titans were fielding one of the worst rushing attacks in the league and Pollard looked past his prime. Well, the narrative has completely flipped in recent weeks and Mike Borgonzi’s decision at running back no longer looks straightforward.Pollard experienced a breakout game versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. The former Memphis
standout rushed for a career-high 161 yards and two touchdowns. Pollard was good against the San Francisco 49ers again in Week 15, and this past weekend, rushed for 102 yards in the blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs. A phantom penalty wiped out his TD.
Pollard has rushed for 100-plus yards in three straight appearances. The experienced ball-carrier is averaging 6.1 yards per carry over that stretch and has scored four touchdowns. Pollard and the Titans’ run game has been critical to the team’s late-season offensive resurgence.
Pollard is slated to enter the final year of his contract next season. Releasing him would create $7.2 million in additional cap space for Borgonzi. The dead-cap hit is minimal ($2 million).
It’s worth acknowledging Pollard doesn’t deserve all the credit for his late-season breakout. The Titans’ offensive line has been in outstanding form lately. The starting five unit entered the season with lofty expectations based on the capital Borgonzi had invested in the position group. They started out disappointing, but have really found their form, even when Corey Levin and Oli Udoh had to play.
Hopefully the Titans’ offensive line carries this momentum over 2026. Very few changes are expected to that unit with right guard Kevin Zeitler as the lone pending free agent. Borgonzi will have to decide if Pollard’s resurgence is worth buying into and retaining. Otherwise, the Titans could consider adding a younger, more dynamic back.
