In 2024, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard was one of the more surprising 1,000-yard rushers, finishing with 1,079 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Entering 2025 as the Titans’ lead back again, Pollard has performed well once again — but the team has not.
As a veteran who could potentially help impact winning on a playoff-contending team, here are four teams that could be in the mix for Pollard if he’s made available before the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline.
Los Angeles Chargers
With backup Najee Harris out for the season and starter Omarion Hampton expected to be another couple of weeks, as he was spotted in a walking boot at the Chargers’ Week 8 game, the Los Angeles Chargers have been piecing together their run game with Kimani Vidal, Jaret Patterson, and Nyheim Hines. It’s not quite a group that should be relied upon for a long period of time.
While Vidal carried the ball 23 times for 117 yards and a touchdown in Los Angeles’ Week 8 win, that effort can’t be expected weekly. If the price is right, adding Pollard to the mix would greatly aid the run game and help take the load off Vidal.
Once Hampton returns, Pollard will be a veteran backup to aid the rookie. Quarterback Justin Herbert can use all the weapons he can get, and Pollard could be one — for the right price.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are rolling, having won five in a row after a 1-2 start to the season. But that hasn’t been because of their run game; instead, it’s been because of the excellence of quarterback Drake Maye.
Starter Rhamondre Stevenson is known for his ball-handling issues, as he’s repeatedly lost and regained Patriots coaches’ trust with his ongoing fumble problems. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson has seen an increased workload lately, but the Patriots may want to add a veteran presence as they contend for a playoff spot.
Pollard is the steady back New England could need. If they want, he could assume the bell cow role; if not, he can be a supporting back, receiving eight to 10 carries per game and taking care of the football.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long needed help at the running back position, entering the season with one of the weakest running back corps in the NFL. Jaylen Warren is the starter, with Kenneth Gainwell and rookie Kaleb Johnson behind him.
Johnson appears to have fallen out of the rotation entirely, with Gainwell and Warren the only two backs seeing time. If one gets injured, this group would be in an even worse spot than it already is.
The presence of Pollard wouldn’t lift this group significantly, but it would provide insurance in case of injury. He’d also be good for 40 to 50 yards a game, if given 10 to 12 carries per game. That would be enough to slightly improve the Steelers’ rushing attack as they aim to cash in on quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ year with the team.
Philadelphia Eagles
Though it appears that star running back Saquon Barkley will be fine for the Philadelphia Eagles after sustaining a groin injury in their Week 8 victory over the New York Giants, they’re still thin behind him.
They traded for Tank Bigsby before the season, and he hadn’t done much until Week 8, when he ran for 104 yards on nine carries. That can’t be expected every week, especially considering the Eagles didn’t play him for essentially the first month and a half.
Will Shipley is also in the room, but he’s inexperienced and hasn’t proven himself to be an NFL-caliber back capable of handling RB2 duties.
With a long playoff run hopefully ahead, coming off a taxing year for Barkley, the Eagles could greatly benefit from adding another able body to their running back corps who can reliably take some of that load off their superstar back.