The Tennessee Titans are moving on from Derrick Henry, and opting instead to go with Tony Pollard in their new-look backfield.
Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jordan Schultz tweeted on Monday, minutes after the start of the NFL's legal tampering period, that the Titans were planning to sign Pollard.
BREAKING: Free agent RB Tony Pollard plans to sign with the #Titans, sources tell @BleacherReport. (@AaronWilson_NFL first.) pic.twitter.com/BqAsmrBOmU
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2024
Pollard is expected to sign a three-year deal with the Titans, implying that he will be the Derrick Henry replacement that the Titans were seeking in free agency. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted that it would be a $24 million deal for Pollard.
The #Titans are giving former #Cowboys RB Tony Pollard a 3-year deal worth $24M, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
Despite an iconic career that included two All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl appearances, the Titans appeared ready to move on from the 30-year-old running back, allowing him to issue a heartfelt message to fans during his final home game at the end of the 2023 season. After being drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Henry ran for over 9,000 yards and 90 rushing touchdowns, even earning Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2020 with over 2,000 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.
Now, the Titans will be turning to Pollard, who is coming off of a disappointing final season with the Cowboys. Pollard was a Pro Bowl running back in 2022 as the backup to Ezekiel Elliott, running for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging a head-turning 5.2 yards per carry. While he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards again this past season, he struggled finding the end zone as consistently while averaging just 4.0 yards per rushing attempt.
The Titans aren't expected to be an immediate contender in the AFC South, trying to rebuild and reload as the Jaguars, Texans, and Colts all look to make significant moves this offseason to become more legitimate playoff contenders. Without Mike Vrabel and Derrick Henry, things will look significantly different for the franchise in 2024 and beyond.
