NASHVILLE - Both training camp and the roster cuts that follow are filled with tough choices. That’s exactly what Brian Callahan, Ran Carthon, and the Tennessee Titans front office have on their hands at running back this fall.
The Titans' backfield is led by Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. The two backs will be used interchangeably throughout the season and both will see significant playing time on the offense.
But after Pollard and Spears on the depth chart, it’s Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut fighting for RB3 duties and the 53-man roster spot that goes with it. That might be the most intriguing roster battle we see in Titans training camp.
When I spoke with Haskins after practice earlier this week, the former Michigan Wolverines running back told me that he is hoping to show everyone he's still got it after a long hiatus.
Haskins wants to prove he hasn't lost a step after not playing in an NFL regular season games since January 2023.
Last June, Haskins was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Those charges were dismissed just a few months later, but the Titans ended up placing Haskins on Injured Reserve in late August. He was also placed in Commissioner Exempt List and missed the entire 2023 season.
The former fourth-round pick has always added value on special teams. He also had 27 rushing yards on eight carries in Saturday’s preseason opener.
Then there’s Julius Chestnut. An undrafted free agent in 2022 out of Sacred Heart that has played in nine games for the Titans over the last two seasons. Chestnut is a classic NFL underdog story that always finds a way to shine this time of year.
Chestnut had just nine rushing yards on five attempts on Saturday. But Titans head coach Brian Callahan was still very complimentary of what Chestnut did as a runner. Chestnut was particularly impressive in the passing game when he caught a screen pass for Mason Rudolph and scampered for 36 yards, flipping the field.
"That's a position battle, that [RB3] role. And the special teams comes into that as well. I think Hassan [Haskins] played really, really well in special teams yesterday. I think Julius [Chestnut] was solid," said Callahan in his press conference on Sunday afternoon. "I thought Julius had a better day on the ground, carrying the ball and in the passing game. But that's a job that’s being competed for. I think that they're both bigger backs, they're strong, they're physical. So that role is an important one. It's an important one for special teams, and I think that's a battle you're going to continue to see over the next two and a half, three weeks."
And therein lies the dilemma that the Titans brass is going to be faced with over the next few weeks. Chestnut is probably the more effective offensive player, while Haskins is a more versatile weapon that can be used on special teams.
What do the Titans value more? Which player is more balanced? How do roster decisions at other position groups impact what Tennessee is looking for out of their third running back?
These conversations and decision are common this time of year. But that doesn't make them any easier to make.
It doesn’t seem feasible that the Titans are going to keep four running backs. In my eyes, Haskins and Chestnut that are competing for just one job. But as Callahan said in his press conference on Sunday, this competition is still very much wide open. It will certainly have my attention at joint practices against the Seattle Seahawks this week and in the preseason games that are still to come
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