Tyjae Spears’ projected rookie contract with the Titans

As we continue to make our way through the projected rookie contracts of the Tennessee Titans’ 2023 NFL draft class, we now move to running back Tyjae Spears.

According to Spotrac, Spears is projected to make $5.4 million over the course of his four-year rookie deal, with an estimated signing bonus of $993,174 and first-year cap hit $998,293.

Interestingly enough, Spears is right at the cutoff of draft picks who are projected to receive a $1 million or more signing bonus.

There was no shortage of controversy when the Titans added Spears in the third round instead of a wide receiver, as running back was pretty far down the list of priorities, especially when compared to wide receiver.

Putting that aside for now, Spears gives the Titans another weapon on offense and a change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry who can hopefully fill the Dontrell Hilliard role.

But Spears will have competition for the scraps behind Henry from guys like Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut, with the former figuring to be the bigger threat to Spears’ bid for a role.

And, it’s very possible we will be watching the future of the Titans’ backfield in 2023, as Spears and Haskins could form the tandem that potentially replaces Henry if he moves on in 2024.