Jan. 12, 2026, 10:26 a.m. ET
With so much of this initial portion of the offseason focused on the Tennessee Titans’ coaching search, and taking a quick look into the future, some of the news that came out of the Week 18 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars fell through the cracks. One story that was overlooked was how painfully close running back Tony Pollard came to cashing in on some lucrative incentives.
​Heading into the game, Pollard needed 66 rushing yards and two touchdowns to secure $450.000 in bonus money; statistics that were being publicized pre-game by multiple sportsbooks and outlets covering prop bets. And unfortunately, Cam Ward’s injury, play calling, and the stout Jaguars defense held him short.
​The most disappointing shortfall may be the rushing yards mark, needing only 66 yards. Once Ward was knocked out in the first series, instead of focusing on Pollard and the ground game that had led the offense’s resurgence in recent weeks, play caller Bo Hardegree turned to Brandon Allen and the passing game, and limited Pollard’s carries throughout.
​It’s almost hard to believe, but with a $250,000 bonus on the line, Pollard managed only 14 carries for 48 yards in the finale. Especially after proving to be a workhorse down the stretch, chipping in more than 550 yards over the last six games with three 100-yard games.
​Pollard struggled early in the season as Ward and the offense settled in, managing only 522 yards through 11 weeks, but proved to get stronger as the season progressed, finishing with a career-high 1,082 yards, besting his previous high set in 2024 by 3 yards.
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​The $200,000 touchdown incentive would have been harder to achieve against the Jaguars’ defense, which has been strong all season and dominated Tennessee in both matchups. Pollard finished the season with five touchdowns, falling well short of his career-high nine set in 2022 with the Dallas Cowboys.
​Looking back at the game, it does make sense that the original game plan was tailored to the passing game. The Jaguars boasted the NFL’s top rush defense, with teams averaging 85.6 yards per game against them. But once Ward was knocked out, no changes to the plan were made, and Tennessee finished with only 64 yards on 19 carries between Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Cam Ward.
Pollard has been a true professional and has not mentioned this frustrating end to the season. After watching him for two seasons, I expect he will turn this disappointment into motivation and come back even stronger in 2026.