Derrick Henry treating Titans’ season finale no different amid uncertain future
Derrick Henry may be playing his final game in a Titans uniform this Sunday. That’s not a good outcome for Tennessee fans, but defenses in the AFC South will celebrate no longer being on the wrong end of King Henry’s stiff arm.
Henry, the fourth-highest-paid running back in the NFL, is in the final year of his contract with the Titans. He’s earning $12.5 million this season, which is behind Christian McCaffrey ($16 million), Alvin Kamara ($15 million) and Jonathan Taylor ($14 million).
This former Alabama star and 2015 Heisman winner said he’s not trying to hype the game too much in his head.
“We’ll just treat it as any other game,” Henry told reporters. “Try not to get too caught up, too overwhelmed. Just enjoy the moment. Focus on finishing the season strong, going out there playing a good game overall as a team and hopefully getting the win.”
There’s no post-season for the Titans
The Titans aren’t going anywhere after they play the Jaguars in Nissan Stadium Sunday afternoon. Tennessee is 5-11. Next season could look completely different since the Titans could be without both Henry and former starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who probably is playing his final game in Nashville.
No matter what happens against the Jaguars, Henry will be viewed as one of the best running backs in Titans history. Tennessee selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. And since then, he’s rushed for 9,349 yards. That’s second in Titans history behind only Eddie George, the former Ohio State standout.
Several big-name backs will be unrestricted free agents
So if Henry leaves the Titans, where might he go? It’s unclear how much value he’ll have on the free agent market. NFL teams have devalued running backs, save for a star like McCaffrey.
Henry boasts an amazing 4.9 yards per carry career average. But will he still maintain that pace? He celebrated his 30th birthday, Thursday. That’s not a great age for running backs. Ezekiel Elliott was the first running back selected in the 2016 draft, with Henry No. 2. Elliott is only 28. Yet the Cowboys cut him last spring and Elliott, with two NFL rushing titles, took a pay cut to sign with the Patriots.
Henry has played in all 16 games this season. Statistically, it’s one of his worst. He was the third back selected for the AFC team at the Pro Bowl. He’s rushed for 1,014 yards this season, with an average of 3.9 per carry. He’d carried the ball 88 fewer times than last season. Henry’s last 100-yard game was Dec. 3. But he suffered a concussion and left the game early.
This off-season could be a seismic year for NFL running backs. Henry may be hitting the open market. It’s the same for Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley. They’re all unrestricted free agents.
So Titans fans, take it all in. King Henry may be looking for a new reign.