Titans operating again Derrick Henry arrived in Tennessee in 2016 as a second-round choose following an unbelievable profession enjoying for Nick Saban at Alabama. Henry has topped the 1,000-yard mark in 5 of his eight seasons with the crew and have become the eighth participant in NFL historical past to run for greater than 2,000 yards in a season. Nevertheless, with all of the accolades on his resume, all good issues should come to an finish, it appears to be like like Henry has come to the top of the road in Nashville.
“Thanks for the best eight years of my life.” – Derrick Henry
We’ve heard the rumors all season and there was even discuss of groups doubtlessly lining as much as make a transfer for Henry on the commerce deadline a few months in the past. Clearly, that deadline got here and went and not using a deal involving Henry however after the heartfelt goodbye on Sunday, the inevitable feels prefer it’s about to occur in Tennessee.
Henry hit a giant milestone for NFL operating backs final week. He’s now on the draw back of 30 years previous, which is normally the age at which most franchises select to not shell out large bucks for operating backs. In a league that has devalued that place for years, as soon as a RB hits thirty, they’re anticipated to say no in manufacturing – and finally compensation.
Even when a participant remains to be thought-about an element (like Henry) groups are inclined to get antsy as soon as stated participant creeps towards 30. Henry rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2022 however barely topped 1,000 this season. However when your makes an attempt are lowered that’s what occurs. This decline in manufacturing wasn’t as a lot about King Henry taking a step again, it was in regards to the Titans pushing him again. Henry suited up for 16 video games in every of the previous two campaigns, but in ’23 his quantity was known as 88 fewer occasions than the earlier yr.
Regardless of Henry speeding for 153 yards towards the Jags on Sunday, Tennessee is able to transfer in a brand new path. Henry might not be the again he was a few years in the past (though you couldn’t inform within the season finale) however in the correct scenario, he might put a crew excessive. The Dallas Cowboys had been a reputation that stored popping up the primary half of the season concerning Henry. These rumors will seemingly start to floor once more as soon as the postseason has concluded. Tony Pollard’s first yr because the full-time starter wasn’t precisely what was anticipated, and including Henry as a one-two punch in Dallas’ backfield might be a scary complement to that explosive passing recreation.
Regardless of the future holds for Henry, it appears he’s performed his final recreation as a Tennessee Titan. He’ll have loads of choices coming off back-to-back campaigns the place Henry missed simply two video games. Some fortunate crew is about to hit the jackpot this offseason and for a lot lower than what the Titans had been paying.
