Few people have a better pulse on the NFL or stronger takes on the state of the league than ESPN's Ryan Clark.

Clark played 13 seasons in the NFL at safety, and has remained in league circles since retirement as an analyst on ESPN appearing on shows like NFL Live, First Take, and SportsCenter. But Clark's recent take on Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry did not come from a television appearance.

While checking in on Ramon, Kayla, and Will on 104.5 The Zone on Friday morning, Clark explained to Will Boling and Ramon Foster why he believes the Titans are in a difficult spot with Derrick Henry at running back and why the NFL is moving away from valuing the type of player Henry is.

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Clark believed that the Titans should bring Henry back on the roster for 2023, but believes Henry's return needs to come with an understanding that he cannot bring you a championship on his own, and that his style of play may soon be old-fashioned.

"Does his productivity produce championships and lead to wins?," Clark said. "If you're on the outside looking in at the San Francisco 49ers, who had some ridiculous record when they acquired Christian McCaffery, don't you want that dude? When you're watching what Tony Pollard can do for an offense, don't you want that dude?"

"Don't get me wrong, I think Derrick Henry has been so successful because he is different in a way, but how many times have the Tennessee Titans gotten down in a game or how many times do you get to third down and now you cant use Derrick Henry?," Clark continued.

Clark went on to say the running backs similar to McCaffrey and Pollard continue to provide teams with the flexibility in the passing game that they want. The league is a passing league and running backs that are dynamic, bringing value in the pass and also bringing 1,200 rushing yards are the next generation of talent in the NFL. The tough, downhill runners may get left behind.

It's a tough pill to swallow, but ultimately, he's right.

Henry is still a generational talent. He's one of the best running backs the world has ever seen. There has never been another player quite like him and there probably never will be again. But the current style of play the Titans' offense adopts is not a winning style. The most successful running games in today's league have more than one running back that gets involved. Their running backs stretch the field with outside zone, lining up in the slot, and are productive as both pass catchers and pass blockers.

Still today, Henry is the best downhill, power runner in the NFL, but if he's not complimented by an exceptional pass blocker with lateral agility, Tennessee's offense can be put into a box rather easily.

The Titans will have to reflect on some of the same question Clark posed this offseason as GM Ran Carthon, who has seen the success in San Francisco first-hand, looks to navigate a challenging offseason of decisions.

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports