Schultz: Cowboys FA Tony Pollard Lands Titans Contract amid Derrick Henry Rumors

Free-agent running back Tony Pollard plans to sign with the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Pollard will sign a three-year, $24 million contract.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings were also interested in Pollard:

This news comes just days after ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Derrick Henry was unlikely to return to Tennessee.

The 26-year-old Pollard amassed 1,316 total yards and six rushing touchdowns last season. He also compiled 1,005 rushing yards on 252 carries (4.0 YPC) and 311 receiving yards on 55 catches.

This marked Pollard's first season as the true RB1 in the Cowboys' backfield after four years playing behind or alongside Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas released Elliott after the 2022 season, paving the way for Pollard to start. The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard after a Pro Bowl season that featured him amassing 1,378 yards and 12 scores.

The 2023 season was a solid comeback campaign for Pollard, who suffered a fractured left fibula against the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs the year before. He played and started in all of the team's 17 regular-season games and finished with a career-high 307 touches.

Unfortunately, Pollard wasn't nearly as efficient as he was in 2022, when he ran for 5.2 yards per carry. Pollard notably rushed for 5.1 YPC over his first four seasons before seeing that figure dip by over a yard in 2023.

Pollard notably struggled in the red zone, with just 161 yards and four touchdowns on 57 carries (2.8 YPC). The year before, Pollard had 99 yards and six scores on 23 carries (4.3 YPC).

It's fair to wonder how Pollard will do in the 2024 season. The pessimist's point of view says Pollard may never be the back he once was before suffering a broken ankle. On the flip side, Pollard just posted over 300 touches over 17 games less than a year removed from a serious injury. An offseason focused on gearing up for next year as opposed to rehabbing an old injury could be beneficial, of course.

Ultimately, Tennessee hopes Pollard can produce a season more akin to his 2022 results. Still, he's engineered an impressive comeback after a devastating leg injury and can certainly be a featured back once again.