Titans working again Derrick Henry arrived in Tennessee in 2016 as a second-round choose following an unbelievable profession taking part in 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 seems like Henry has come to the top of the road in Nashville.
“Thank you for the greatest eight years of my life.” – Derrick Henry
We’ve heard the rumors all season and there was even speak of groups probably 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 with no 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 working backs final week. He’s now on the draw back of 30 years outdated, which is often the age at which most franchises select to not shell out large bucks for working backs.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 in the end compensation.
Even when a participant remains to be thought-about an element (like Henry) groups are inclined to get antsy as soon as mentioned 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 diminished that’s what occurs. This decline in manufacturing wasn’t as a lot about King Henry taking a step again, it was concerning 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 instances than the earlier 12 months.
Regardless of Henry dashing for 153 yards in opposition to 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 have been a reputation that saved popping up the primary half of the season concerning Henry. These rumors will doubtless start to floor once more as soon as the postseason has concluded. Tony Pollard’s first 12 months because the full-time starter wasn’t precisely what was anticipated, and including Henry as a one-two punch in Dallas’ backfield may very well 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 have been paying.
