Latest Derrick Henry update contradicts previous reports
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports challenges previous reports that the Tennessee Titans are actively shopping star running back Derrick Henry.
CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones published an article on Tuesday morning that is only adding to the confusion surrounding the Tennessee Titans.
Jones' report, part of his NFL Combine recap, was challenging the recent information from Michael Silver at Bally Sports that the Titans had shopped star running back Derrick Henry in recent days.
According to Jones' sources, the Titans have done no such thing, and plan on competing in the AFC South next season with Henry remaining as the team's offensive focal point.
"I know there's talk that the Titans are shopping running back Derrick Henry but my sources tell me they are not," Jones wrote in his article. "I had been told general manager Ran Carthon would be 'methodical' in his approach to free agency and changes to the team."
The releases of tackle Taylor Lewan and receiver Robert Woods weren't surprising, and cutting loose edge rusher Bud Dupree also makes sense. I don't believe the Titans see any tangible free-agent upgrade at quarterback over Ryan Tannehill, and taking away the most essential part of the offense in Henry would indicate Tennessee is tanking more than anything. The Titans can very much contend in the AFC South, and they'll have to do that with Henry," Jones added.
So what should Titans fans make of this? Is Henry going to return for 2023 after all?
For starters, it's unfair to label either Jones or Silver as "wrong" about the situation. Both reporters have a good reputation and a reliable history, and it's silly to think anyone is intentionally spreading misinformation. This is genuinely what they have been hearing, Jones from his independent sources, and Silver from his sources identified as "current NFL General Managers."
But there certainly is a disconnect.
More than likely, that disconnect comes from the particular wording of Silver's report that Henry had been "shopped" and how people around the league define that. Same thing goes for the media. While some outlets used the exact wording of Silver's report, others translated "being shopped" as the Titans "listening to offers" on Henry.
Let's be clear, there is a very big difference between those two statements.
Listening to offers is basic due diligence for a new General Manager that needs to find a way to quickly turn things around in Tennessee. If that's all it was, then that's just Ran Carthon doing his job.
But shopping Henry indicates that the Titans have been the aggressor in trade discussions and have approached teams to gauge their interest level in acquiring him. That would lead me to believe that the Titans are already leaning towards making a deal and actively pursuing a trade partner.
As I said, the conflicting reports are probably a result of people around the league (who are familiar with the discussions teams have had) placing different parameters on what is considered "shopping," and the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
I don't have any doubt that Tennessee has had some conversations and is entertaining the idea of trading Henry this offseason. But how serious are they about it? Only time will tell.
Image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
