NASHVILLE – Tyjae Spears looked fast during the offseason, standing out in OTAs and the team's three-day minicamp with his speed and quick decision making.
On off days, the Titans running back would oftentimes slow it down, heading out to the practice fields by himself, walking through his responsibilities, in a hoodie and with bare feet, with no one around.
"Just focusing on what I have to do," Spears explained.
Heading into Year 3, Spears is ready for what's next in 2025, whatever that might be.
"I just want to be as consistent as I can be, as we can be," Spears said. "Of course, you have big goals and big dreams and aspirations, but we all just want to win as much as we can. You have to take being an individual out and focus on doing more things toward being a better teammate.
"At the end of the day, you come every day and put your best foot forward. That's all I can do."
Titans coach Brian Callahan raved about Spears, who dealt with adversity last year, during minicamp last week.
"One of the things I heard a lot about Tyjae when I got here, about the type of person and the player that he was," Callahan said. "And we've had conversations, but he did have a challenging year, both personally and professionally and there was some things that we've had to sit and visit about on different occasions. I give a lot of credit to him because he's had an unbelievable offseason in terms of his energy, his effort, his clarity and what he wants to get done. So, I've been really pleased with where Tyjae is at. He's a great example and it's not something that maybe is easy for you guys to see but his personal growth I think has been outstanding.
"I'm really excited to see what he can bring to us this year because he's been in a great place and he's had a really nice offseason."
A third-round pick of the Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft, Spears said his first two NFL seasons have gone by "in the blink of an eye."
Spears played in 17 games as a rookie in 2023, rushing for 453 yards and two touchdowns while also catching 52 passes for 385 yards and a touchdown, while playing alongside running back Derrick Henry.
In 2024, Spears missed time with injuries, and his contribution wasn't as much while playing alongside running back Tony Pollard. Spears carried the ball 84 times for 312 yards and four touchdowns last year while catching 30 passes for 224 yards and a score.
He missed three games in the middle of the season.
"I learned (last year) that I can fight adversity really well," he said. "I learned a lot over the course of last year, and in life. I've done a lot of reflecting in the last year."
Spears finished the 2024 season strong, however, including a 95-yard rushing performance in Week 17 against the Jaguars. He scored four touchdowns in two games against the Bengals and Colts in back-to-back weeks.
This offseason, Callahan said the Titans plan to have more of an equal distribution of carries between the running backs.
Spears said he'll be ready for whatever is asked.
"Just trying to make the most of my opportunities," he said. "Definitely hungry for more, but I can't do anything about last year. Confidence is building but definitely hungry for more.
"I'm just taking it one day at a time, and being the best I can be. I know that statement gets thrown around, but really stamping and solidifying it. I just want to show my best self whenever I can."
