Speculation is swirling surrounding the availability of running back Derrick Henry. Could the Tennessee Titans star be the next player to be dealt by the AFC South squad?
The Titans are 2-4 and have lost three of their last four games. After missing the postseason last season, Tennessee’s playoff prospects have dipped significantly through Week 7.
NFL Week 7 Playoff Probability Leverage pic.twitter.com/EebwhInWWm
— SūmerSports (@SumerSports) October 22, 2023
The Titans’ lack of success thus far is a big reason why they shipped All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.
The Byard trade has led to speculation among NFL reporters and insiders about the possibility of the Titans trading Henry next ahead of the October 31 trade deadline.
The Kevin Byard trade by the Titans leads naturally to this question: is Tennessee planning to offload other veterans too?
If so, the most prominent name most would wonder about is Derrick Henry.
He's in the final year of his contract and owed $6.4M for the balance of the…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 23, 2023
After speaking to a handful of teams around the league today, the Kevin Byard trade has people wondering just how many players the Titans will make available. I'd expect teams to call about Derrick Henry. We'll see if the Titans have any interest in listening. https://t.co/bB3kBBEZqg
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 23, 2023
If the Titans are giving up Kevin Byard to the Eagles for late round draft picks, they’re clearly selling on the season. That means Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill, if anyone wants him and he’s healthy, have to also be on the trade block.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 23, 2023
The Titans drafted both Byard and Henry in 2016. While Byard has been an integral part of Tennessee’s defense over the past eight seasons, Henry is considered to be the face of their franchise.
The Titans have largely centered their offense around their star running back over the last several seasons. Any potential Henry trade would likely signal a full-scale rebuild for Tennessee.
Henry has been widely regarded as one of the best running backs over the last half decade. His best campaign was in 2020, when he was named 1st-team All-Pro with totals of 2,027 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns — both the most in the NFL. Henry has rushed for 425 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.
Henry is in the final year of the 4-year, $50 million contract he signed in 2020. Henry will make a total of $12.75 million this season.
