When the Dallas Cowboys chose not to re-sign Tony Pollard following the 2023 season, critics questioned the move. After all, Pollard had flashed breakaway speed, receiving ability, and had shown flashes of starter potential. But inside The Star, the Cowboys’ front office clearly had doubts about Pollard’s long-term viability as a true RB1—and now, comments from Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan suggest they were absolutely right.
Titans HC Admits Pollard Wore Down in 2024
Speaking to the media this week, Callahan reflected on Pollard’s first season in Tennessee after signing a $7.25 million per year deal in 2024. While Pollard posted a respectable 1,079 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry, his production tailed off late in the season—a concern Callahan openly acknowledged.
“He was battling the second half of the year quite a bit,” Callahan admitted. “In a perfect world, it’s a healthier division of labor.”
Callahan went on to say that Pollard carried more of the offensive burden than intended, due to early-season injuries to Tyjae Spears, and that the team plans to reduce Pollard’s workload in 2025.
This public acknowledgment is a massive validation for the Cowboys, who decided not to offer Pollard a long-term contract after placing the franchise tag on him in 2023. Despite his explosiveness in space, Pollard was never quite the same after taking over as the full-time starter, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry in his final season with Dallas.
The Cowboys Were Strategic, Not Stubborn
Pollard was a fan favorite in Dallas, especially after the decline of Ezekiel Elliott’s production in the later stages of his Cowboys career. But the front office’s decision to let Pollard walk wasn’t rooted in emotion—it was based on long-term durability, positional value, and an understanding that Pollard, while talented, wasn’t built to shoulder a full-time backfield workload.
Now, with the Titans looking to scale him back, the Cowboys’ decision looks smarter than ever.
“He was our most productive back,” Callahan said, “but you don’t want to burn him out by Week 10.”
That’s a striking admission from a head coach who just invested in Pollard as a central piece of the offense. It underlines what the Cowboys’ analytics and scouting teams saw early: Pollard is best used in a complementary role, not as a bell cow.
Tennessee’s Dilemma Moving Forward
For the Titans, Pollard’s 2024 was decent but not dominant. Without an elite passing game to relieve pressure, Pollard faced loaded boxes and heavy usage, which clearly wore him down. Now, Callahan is planning for a more balanced backfield, with a healthy Tyjae Spears expected to take on a larger role.
That’s not the outcome Tennessee envisioned when they brought Pollard home to Memphis.
Meanwhile in Dallas…
The Cowboys pivoted to younger, cheaper options in the backfield, and while no single player has duplicated Pollard’s 2022 highs, the offense has stayed productive and more flexible without locking major money into the running back position—a strategy the league continues to trend toward.
The league has seen it time and time again: paying running backs comes with risk. The Cowboys took a calculated one by not investing in Pollard, and now the Titans are learning firsthand why.
Bottom Line: Dallas Made the Right Call
Tony Pollard will still have a role in Tennessee, and he remains a valuable player. But his limitations as a full-time starter have now been confirmed by his own coach. The Cowboys, often criticized for being too cold with personnel moves, were ahead of the curve, trusting their evaluation over fan sentiment.
Now, as Pollard’s role is set to shrink just a year into his Titans tenure, one truth has become crystal clear: Dallas was right all along.
