Tyjae Spears understands his position group's storied history with the Titans. Greatness is the standard for running backs who play in Tennessee.
Spears and veteran Tony Pollard have massive shoes to fill in the absence of franchise legend Derrick Henry.
Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard push each other
Henry moved on to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency this offseason after eight years with the Titans. Pollard agreed on a three-year, $21.75 million deal to come play in new coach Brian Callahan's system alongside Spears in free agency. When Spears met with media during last week's OTAs, he told a story about how he and Pollard are handling the opportunity ahead of them.
"We had just gotten into an argument a few days ago," said Spears of he and Pollard. "I don't know if he wants me to tell y'all. Just pushing each other. Just trying to get the best out of each other. We exchanged a few words. Not no crazy words, just like 'Nah, we ain't finna do that.'"
Iron sharpens iron, as the cliché goes.
"I want to see both of us in the Top 5 rushing, Top 5 best backs this year," Spears said. "With the o-line we've got, we can reach those heights. But we've got to push each other. It starts now at OTAs."
Brian Callahan excited for RBs in new Titans system
Pollard followed up his first Pro Bowl selection in 2022 with another strong season for the Dallas Cowboys last year.
1,005 yards on the ground for Pollard to go with another 311 yards receiving and six touchdowns helped power Dallas' offensive attack to a 12-5 finish and an NFC East title. Spears ended up as one of Tennessee's best play-makers in his rookie season. The third-round pick rushed 100 times for 453 yards and caught 52 passes to add another 385 from scrimmage behind Henry.
Spears scored three total touchdowns in his debut campaign.
"I think Tyjae's (Spears) got a little bit different route-running ability," Callahan said last month. "Tony (Pollard), he's a smoother runner. They're both really explosive. Those guys are the ones I'm probably, of all the groups that we have, I think those guys are the ones that are the most exciting for me. Just all the different places you can put those guys in the formation, all the different ways you can get them the ball. In the screen game, in the passing game.
"Really, really excited about what they've shown so far. Those guys are two really fantastic players. I'm happy we have those guys."
