Titans get good deal with Derrick Henry before deadline
It’s rarely good business to sign a running back long-term. The TennesseeTitans found a way to do so.
On Wednesday, Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson came to terms one a four-year, $50 million deal with Derrick Henry. The contract contains $25.5 million guaranteed, and while the details haven’t emerged in structure, those numbers indicate Henry will essentially be on a two-year pact with options for the Titans in 2022 and ’23.
Had Henry stayed on the franchise tag this season, he would have earned $13.12 million, so in reality, Robinson simply tacked on another year. This is the same as if the Titans had tagged Henry for a second time, but with the options on the back end. Tennessee both maintains flexibility in its long-term strategy while also keeping Henry around to get his best years.
While the Titans could regret signing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a four-year deal worth $118 million this offseason, the Henry contract seems almost full-proof. Tennessee doesn’t have to worry about being tied up with major dead cap hits like the Los Angeles Rams are in dealing with Todd Gurley. Instead, the Titans keep their best player and don’t spend through the proverbial nose.
Last season, Henry led the league in rushing with 1,540 yards. He was incredible down the stretch, gaining more than 100 yards in four his final five regular-season affairs before destroying the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. In those games, Henry amassed 406 total yards in the two victories, before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, being held to 69 rushing yards.
If Tennessee has designs of getting back to that stage and perhaps further in 2020, it revolves around Henry. While most teams are going to a more pass-heavy attack, head coach Mike Vrabel prefers a power running style, one that suits the 247-pound back.
Ultimately, Henry’s deal represents a high-upside, low-risk proposition for Tennessee. The Titans need him to play their brand of ball, and while Tannehill will be asked to do more considering he has now both been in the offense and gotten paid, the scheme will largely be the same: run the ball, hit play-action passes off it.
Signing Henry was a key move but only the correct one at the right price. The Titans managed to find the right middle ground.
