The Tennessee Titans may face a defining decision at running back before or during their Week 9 bye: Keep Tony Pollard for the rest of the season or turn a veteran starter into draft capital. Locked On Titans host Tyler Rowland declared Pollard should be Tennessee’s most logical trade candidate if the team reaches the bye without enough on-field progress to justify keeping its veterans.
Rowland’s position is based on timing. He believes Pollard’s value is rising because contenders can suddenly need backfield help, while Tennessee would need to evaluate whether carries for an experienced runner matter more than adding assets for a broader rebuild.
Pollard is the top running back on the Titans’ official depth chart. While that makes him an important piece of the offense, it also gives Rowland a clear reason Pollard might draw interest given his contract situation. Pollard is in the final season of a three-year deal he signed before the 2024 season.
The consequence of trading the 29-year-old would extend far beyond his number of touches. Quarterback Cam Ward would lose a reliable backfield option and the locker room would lose a veteran presence. Tennessee also is still trying to establish a foundation around its young quarterback, and player turnover would not help that cause.
However, Rowland argued the Titans need more draft flexibility, not merely additional selections. In his view, a Pollard trade could provide capital for a roster that needs help at several positions, including the backfield.
The Titans’ bye week comes right before the NFL’s trade deadline (Nov. 10), and the results in the weeks leading up to the bye will shape how much urgency Rowland’s position gains. If the current core shows progress on the field and in the standings, Tennessee could keep Pollard. If not, Rowland believes the starting back should be the offensive player most likely to move as part of a longer-term plan.
Titans News and Notes
– Wide receiver Calvin Ridley also belongs in Rowland’s trade conversation. Rowland said Tennessee should consider moving Ridley regardless of a short-term turnaround. He argues the veteran could help a contender against zone coverage and his trade would help create a more manageable cap situation for the Titans.
– Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is a different situation. Rowland said Tennessee should not shop Simmons, but he would entertain a major offer that includes premium draft compensation, particularly if the club reaches the bye without a win.
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