The Titans have released Bernard Pollard, according to Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean (via Twitter). Pollard first requested his release back in late January but he only recently reached the point health-wise where he was able to be let go (link). The move won’t officially hit the waiver wire until later, but the team has informed the safety that he’ll be released (link).
Last year was Pollard’s second season in Tennessee. After playing under a one-year deal in 2013 that netted him $2MM, Pollard re-signed with the Titans last March, inking a two-year extension. His base salary was set to increase from $1.65MM last year to $3.1MM in 2015, but that money isn’t guaranteed. By honoring his request for release, the Titans will only be on the hook for a prorated portion of his signing bonus, leaving them with just $425K in dead money.
Pollard has also spent time with the Chiefs, Texans, and Ravens and he captured a Super Bowl ring with Baltimore in 2013. He played in just five games last season before landing on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, but he was a solid player as recently as 2013, when he racked up 77 tackles while starting all 16 games, and rated as the league’s No. 21 safety among 86 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). In total, Pollard has amassed almost 550 tackles during his nine-year career, while adding 12 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles.