In fact, there are many new things happening in Nashville.
There is a new head coach in Robert Saleh.
And as Spears pointed out, there’s a new logo, new helmets and new uniforms.
Maybe that’s just the fresh start the Titans need.
Tennessee has had a losing record four years in a row. After three straight playoff seasons from 2019-2021 under Mike Vrabel, the Titans went 7-10 and 6-11 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, in the final two campaigns under Vrabel.
Next up was Brian Callahan, but the first-time head coach couldn’t right the ship, as Spears and Co. went 3-14 in each of the last two years.
There is no reason to believe that a turnaround cannot be forthcoming. A good example was set by Vrabel, who led the Patriots to a Super Bowl berth in his first season at the helm in 2025. The team had four wins in each of the previous two campaigns.
A third-round pick out of Tulane in 2023, Spears spent just one season with Vrabel. This rookie campaign still stands as his best, as he posted 838 scrimmage yards. It has not eclipsed 550 in each of the two years since. Perhaps another new chapter for the Titans will pay dividends for Spears, as Brian Daboll has joined the team as its new offensive coordinator.
“Consistency is everything,” Spears said. “I’m constantly trying to improve… as a person and as a player. And if I do that, everything will be fine.”
After four straight 1,000-yard seasons dating back to his days with the Dallas Cowboys, Tony Pollard doesn’t feel like he’s taking too many steps back, but Spears still has fresh legs at 25 years old. He’s confident he can help the Titans do something they haven’t done in his last three years: finish with a winning record.
“I went through some (tough years) in college,” said Spears, whose Green Wave squads went a combined 15-22 in their first three seasons before a 12-2 2022 campaign. “So my first few years in college were pretty tough, dealing with injuries, dealing with the record. In the end, we keep working hard and working together, something has to change and this is the year to change.