The Cleveland Browns enter the middle of October riding a three-game winning streak and a 3-1 record, yet their running game has yet to provide the consistent punch many expected.
Rookie Quinshon Judkins remains the primary ball carrier, but through four games he has managed only 177 yards and one touchdown on 59 attempts, a 3.0-yard average that has produced a longest gain of just 11 yards.
Depth behind him thinned further when Dylan Sampson landed on injured reserve with a knee injury, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin and Raheim Sanders as the main alternatives.
That backdrop has prompted outside observers to float veteran reinforcements. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine recently identified Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard as a logical trade candidate for Cleveland.
The 29-year-old brings more than 6,000 career rushing yards and, notably, has topped the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past four seasons, including a career-high 1,082 yards for the Titans last year.
He also earned a Pro Bowl nod during his time with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.
Browns fans have a recent reminder of his capability: in a December 2025 visit to Cleveland, Pollard piled up a personal-best 161 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, including scoring runs of 32 and 65 yards.
This season Pollard has carried 54 times for 221 yards and one score, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt.
His contract status adds a layer of intrigue. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, which could make him more available if the Titans, currently 0-4, continue to slide out of contention.
For Cleveland, any deal would amount to a rental, forcing the front office to weigh the price of acquisition against the possibility of a short-term boost.
Inside the building, the coaching staff sees incremental progress. Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer noted that the run game has improved week by week, citing better movement at the line of scrimmage and growing comfort with the scheme.
The Browns netted 112 rushing yards against Pittsburgh in Week 4, though quarterback Deshaun Watson ranks second on the team with 127 yards on the ground, a reminder that production has often come from outside the backfield. McLaughlin even scored on his lone offensive snap in that game.
Judkins remains firmly atop the depth chart heading into a matchup with the New York Jets, who have surrendered 123.5 rushing yards per game, giving the rookie a chance to find more room before any outside help arrives.
Whether Cleveland ultimately pursues Pollard or stays with its current group will depend on how the run game evolves and what compensation Tennessee might demand.
For a team already off to a strong start, the decision hinges on whether an experienced veteran can accelerate the progress the staff believes is already underway.
