The Tennessee Titans are getting calls on Tony Pollard, but they’re doing the smart thing by keeping the door shut.
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, “multiple teams” have reached out to Tennessee about the running back, yet general manager Mike Borgonzi has “declined to engage in conversations about a potential trade.” With the Nov. 10 deadline coming fast, that stance makes plenty of sense for a team sitting at 1-7 and heading into the bye week.
On paper, Pollard looks like exactly the kind of veteran a rebuilding club would move for value. He’s on an expiring contract, he’s 29, and his market should be strong after what he’s done lately.
Over his last two games, Pollard has piled up 246 rushing yards on 46 carries, scored five rushing touchdowns, caught six passes on eight targets, and added 46 receiving yards. Teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks could all use more steadiness in the backfield, so the interest isn’t hard to explain.
But Tennessee’s bigger priority isn’t squeezing out a draft pick. It’s helping Cam Ward.
Ward is coming off what was arguably the best performance of his young NFL career, and Pollard’s surge has lined up with that jump. The pressure on the second-year quarterback has been heavy from the start, with the “ bust” label hanging over him almost immediately. Pollard has helped ease that burden by giving Ward more room to operate and more confidence to play his game.
That matters for a young quarterback still trying to settle in. Pollard’s recent production may not hold forever, but right now it’s forcing defenses to pay attention to the run game and creating more chances for Ward to make plays. Taking that away would strip out a safety blanket Tennessee can’t afford to lose.
Yes, the Titans are in a rebuilding phase. Yes, moving a veteran like Pollard would fit the broader logic of a team looking ahead. But if the goal is to get the most out of Ward, keeping Pollard in place is the better call.
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