NFL Rumors: Derrick Henry Unlikely to Return to Titans; Door Not 'Completely Closed'
March 8, 2024
Four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry is "unlikely to return to the Tennessee Titans" in 2024, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Fowler noted that the door for Henry's return "is not completely closed."
Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPNRunning back Derrick Henry is unlikely to return to the Tennessee <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> after a historic eight-year run, per sources, though the door is not completely closed.<br> <br>Henry would leave TEN with 9,502 yards, 90 touchdowns, two rushing titles, one OPOY and four Pro Bowls. <a href="https://t.co/kffuHJGBkV">pic.twitter.com/kffuHJGBkV</a>
Henry led the NFL with 280 rushing attempts in 2023 as he recorded a double-digit rushing touchdown total for the sixth straight season.
After eight seasons with the Titans, Henry trails only Eddie George for the most rushing yards in franchise history.
The four-year, $50 million extension Henry signed with the Titans in 2020 is set to expire March 13.
Spotrac projects Henry's next contract at one year and $10.3 million, a decrease from his previous $12.5 AAV.
He is set to join a crowded market of free-agent running backs that include fellow stars like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs.
Although general manager Ran Carthon said Feb. 27 that the Titans hadn't ruled out the possibility of Henry's return, per Turron Davenport, Henry appeared to say goodbye to the team when taking the microphone at Nissan Stadium on Jan. 7 after the final game of the Titans' season.
"Titans fans, I just want to say thank you for the greatest eight years of my life," Henry said after the Titans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Two days later, after the Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel, Henry said he and the team were "going in a different direction."
"I'm not saying it's closed, but I just feel like they're going in a different direction," Henry said Jan. 9 on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast (h/t NFL.com's Grant Gordon). "That's OK. That happens. That's the nature of the business. We want something to last forever. Nothing does, especially in this business."
Henry added: "At the end of the day, I want to win the Super Bowl. Wherever that is that gives me the best chance, that's what I want to do."
If Henry does not return, Tyjae Spears could get a shot at the Titans' RB1 spot. The 22-year-old ran for 453 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2023.
