The Tennessee Titans have already kicked off what looks like a full-scale teardown with the Jeffery Simmons blockbuster to the Bears. That deal sent a clear message: this is no longer about chasing a quick turnaround in 2026. It’s about piling up assets, and the next move may be sitting right there in the backfield.
Tony Pollard has become the obvious name to watch. He’s an eight-year veteran, he’s 29, and the clock is always louder for running backs than it is for almost anyone else. But he also brings real value, which is why he makes so much sense as a sell-high candidate if Tennessee wants to keep adding to its draft stash.
The production is there. Pollard is coming off four straight 1,000-yard seasons, two with the Cowboys and the last two with the Titans.
He’s also on pace for another one this year, and he already has four touchdowns, putting him on track for what would easily be the second-highest scoring total of his career. He’s still a dependable option as a receiver out of the backfield, too.
That said, the Titans aren’t likely to land Simmons-level return for Pollard. Still, they should be able to get something back. A fourth- or fifth-round pick sounds plausible, and for a team in Tennessee’s position, that’s enough to make the idea worth exploring.
Last week against the Browns, Pollard put together his best outing of the season, rushing for 129 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Before that, his top rushing total had been 76, and he had failed to score in five of his first six games. Some of that is on Pollard, but a lot of it is on a Titans offense that has been struggling badly.
There’s a practical case for a trade, too. The Browns have reportedly been looking for help at running back, and they just got a firsthand look at what Pollard can do. That kind of scouting report matters.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen described Pollard this way: “Pollard is a slasher,” Matt Bowen wrote. “With change-of-direction ability and vision to find daylight, he had his best day of the season in Week 7, producing 155 total yards against the Browns' defense.
Pollard's receiving traits have been minimized in a struggling Titans offense this season, but he had 30 or more catches in each of his previous five seasons. He's a dual-threat back who could step into a lead role - if the Titans decided to make a move.”
Bowen and Jeremy Fowler identified the Commanders and Vikings as the teams showing the most interest in Pollard.
In Other News...
Titans May Have Found A Defensive Line Answer Robert Saleh Needed
The Titans dipped into the waiver wire for another body on the defensive front, claiming defensive tackle Jonah Laulu after releasing Timmy Horne. It is a small roster move on paper, but for a team still searching for more consistent push up front, it could turn out to matter more than the usual late-season churn.
Laulu arrives with some usable production already on his rsum, including 5.5 career sacks and a half-sack this season, and he played in all 17 games for the Raiders in 2025. For a defensive line trying to give Robert Saleh more dependable options, the appeal is obvious, even if the real question is how quickly he can carve out a role once he gets to Tennessee. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Just Made A Jeffery Simmons Decision Fans Will Debate
The Titans have made a massive move in their rebuilding effort, agreeing to send defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to the Bears in a trade that brings back a hefty package of draft capital. Chicago is sending two first-round picks and a 2027 fourth-rounder to Tennessee, with the Titans also sending a 2028 fifth-round pick back the other way, and it is the kind of deal that instantly changes the shape of both franchises.
Simmons had recently signed a contract extension with Tennessee, which only adds another layer to what this decision means for the Titans future. For a team trying to reset its roster, adding multiple premium picks is the kind of return that can speed up a rebuild, but moving on from one of its cornerstone defenders will not sit easily with fans who viewed him as part of the long-term foundation. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookie Receiver Is Becoming A Bigger Part Of This 5-2 Start
Through seven weeks, the rookie class has already started to leave a mark around the league, and a few first-year players have quickly become central to their teams early success. From edge rushers making disruptive plays to defenders carving out bigger roles, the early returns have given coaches reason to trust young talent in spots that usually take longer to settle. For Tennessee, the broader picture matters too, because every week brings a better look at how the Titans own rookie, linebacker Hill, is fitting into the mix.
The same roundup that tracks Bostons growing role in Clevelands 5-2 start also points to the way these rookies are being used as more than just depth pieces. Hills development sits in that same conversation for the Titans, where the interest is not just in production but in how quickly a first-year player can earn meaningful snaps in a season that is still taking shape. The early tape is encouraging, but as with so many rookies this year, the real question is how much more responsibility is coming next. [Read more 🡒]