According to a source briefed on the matter, the Tennessee Titans have secured former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard with a lucrative three-year contract worth $24 million, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday.
This acquisition of Pollard indicates a shift in the Titans’ running back landscape, suggesting that the tenure of free agent Derrick Henry, who has spent eight seasons with the team, is likely coming to an end.
Pollard’s performance has been commendable, boasting consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. However, his journey to amassing 1,005 yards in 2023 was notably more challenging compared to his Pro Bowl-worthy performance in 2022, where he tallied 1,007 rushing yards.
Turning 27 on April 30, Pollard faced some setbacks during the previous season, managing just one 100-yard game compared to four in 2022. Despite encountering a broken ankle during the 2022 playoff defeat against the San Francisco 49ers, he demonstrated resilience by returning for training camp without missing a single game throughout the season.
While Pollard maintained a consistent level of production, the Dallas Cowboys’ running game experienced a decline in overall effectiveness. Operating under the $10.1 million franchise tag last season, Pollard remained distant from reaching a long-term agreement with the Cowboys.
During his initial three years with the team, Pollard primarily served as a backup to Ezekiel Elliott. However, his knack for making impactful plays gradually earned him increased playing time. In 2022, Pollard recorded 31 runs of at least 10 yards, a figure that dwindled to 21 in the subsequent season.
Furthermore, Pollard showcased versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, tallying a career-high 55 receptions for 311 yards in 2023, following a season where he caught 39 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.
With Pollard’s departure, the Cowboys find themselves without a primary running back, as Rico Dowdle, their top backup, also enters unrestricted free agency.
While the team could explore options in free agency, they are cautious about committing significant financial resources to the position, having already invested heavily in Pollard and Elliott previously. Therefore, turning to the draft appears to be a more viable alternative for the Cowboys.
