The Titans’ 0-3 start has pushed them into the kind of conversation no team wants in early October: seller mode. With Cam Ward and the offense still searching for traction and the defense not offering enough encouragement yet, Tennessee is shaping up as a club that could be making calls ahead of the trade deadline rather than chasing help.
One name that keeps rising to the top is Tony Pollard, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter made the case plainly.
"Tony Pollard fits the profile of somebody who could be dealt before the trade deadline," Schefter said. "A team that's not winning, with a player in the last year of his contract... if there's a team that needs running back help, Pollard might be the first call."
- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 4, 2026
That combination is hard to ignore. The Titans are sitting at 0-3 and appear headed for another season near the bottom of the standings, which makes them a natural candidate to move veterans for future value. Pollard, meanwhile, is in the final year of a three-year, $21,750,000 deal, so Tennessee would be looking at a player who is set to hit free agency after the season anyway.
At 29, Pollard also fits the profile of a veteran who could draw interest quickly if a team decides it needs help in the backfield. From Tennessee’s perspective, dealing him now could make more sense than letting him walk and getting nothing back.
The Titans would still have Tyjae Spears and Nicholas Singleton in the running back room, so moving Pollard wouldn’t leave the position barren.
And there should be teams watching. The Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings are among the clubs to keep an eye on, though more could enter the picture if injuries create new needs over the next few weeks.
For now, the setup is pretty straightforward: a struggling team, a pricey veteran on an expiring contract, and a market that could be there if running back help becomes available. That’s why Pollard looks like one of the clearest trade candidates in the NFL right now.
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What makes the slide harder to watch is how many different phases have taken turns letting Tennessee down. The offense faded badly in the second half, while Brian Dabolls decisions were part of the broader conversation around how the game unraveled. Even Carnell Tate, who turned in a notable performance, was part of the story in a way the Titans could not afford after a costly fumble, and the result left them still searching for their first win. [Read more 🡒]