Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry addressed his future with the team after the loss on Sunday.
Now that the Tennessee Titans’ 2019 season is over, the attention will be shifted to the upcoming offseason, and it’s an offseason in which star running back Derrick Henry will be a free agent.
Henry enjoyed his best season a pro in 2019. He won the rushing title with 1,540 yards, and his 16 rushing touchdowns were tied for the best in the NFL with Green Bay Packers running back, Aaron Jones.
The Alabama product continued his sensational season in the playoffs, rushing for 377 yards in the wild card and divisional rounds combined, breaking multiple playoff records.
It wasn’t until the AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs where Henry was finally stifled, as he totaled just 69 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
After the game, Henry spoke about his upcoming free agent status when asked about it, saying he believes the contract situation “will get worked out” when the time comes, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
"“We have a lot of great guys in the locker room. It’s football, you know the locker room is going to change. Right now, we just lost a game. I am not even thinking about no contracts or things like that. When that time comes, I am sure it will get worked out.”"
While the running back position has been devalued over the years, Henry’s situation is a bit different. He literally carried the Titans on his back in the playoffs and is the heart and soul of this team’s offense. If anyone can buck the trend, it’s the former second-round pick.
According to Spotrac, the calculated market value for a new contract for Henry would be four years and $55.3 million, which would pay the running back $13.8 million annually. The Titans also have the option of using either the franchise or transition tag on him.
However the Titans decide to get it done, there’s a very good chance Henry will remain in Nashville in 2020, and hopefully beyond.