Tennessee Titans should take pragmatic approach with Derrick Henry trade offers
The Tennessee Titans are receiving trade offers for Derrick Henry, reportedly. How seriously should they consider them?
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are receiving trade offers for star running back Derrick Henry, according to multiple reports. Of all the difficult personnel decisions facing Tennessee this offseason, potentially moving the three-time Pro Bowler feels the dirtiest.
Which does tend to ignore the fact that the Titans are not actively shopping him.
General manager Ran Carthon has released several veteran players from Tennessee's roster who have either previously been a part of the franchise's success in the last five seasons or who were brought in to try and sustain that track record. Center Ben Jones and left tackle Taylor Lewan fit the former category and were released in the last few weeks. Receiver Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham and kicker Randy Bullock fit more in the latter.
Outside linebacker Bud Dupree is reportedly set to be cut as well, but the transaction has not been made official by the Titans as of Saturday afternoon.
What does all this mean for Henry's future with drastic changes already being made? Tennessee's star player is entering the final year of the $50 million contract he signed ahead of the 2020 season. Henry carries a $16.36 million cap hit heading into 2023.
The Titans are correct to not be actively shopping him.
Carthon is equally justified in taking calls on his availability. It seems counterintuitive to say that potentially trading Henry has nothing to do with his current abilities as a player or productivity, but that is how fans of Tennessee should view such a hypothetical. What Henry did behind an offensive line that could be diplomatically described as hot trash last season is nothing short of remarkable.
Rushing for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns at a 4.4 yards per carry clip is a testament to the player that Henry still is despite the mileage the 29-year old has on his body. Where the Titans are in the franchise's competitive life cycle, however, almost does both the club and the player a disservice in not trying to find a solution that does not better both sides. If Tennessee had more talent around the former All-Pro, there would little question that keeping him in Nashville would be in the team's best interest.
As it stands right now, the Titans personnel cupboards are shockingly bare and are in need of an immediate infusion. Moving Henry for the right price not only provides Carthon financial relief as he seeks to get things in Tennessee right, but could yield critical draft capital that the team is also rather short on.
What a sensible deal might look like is unclear at present, but Carthon must do what is in the best interest of the Titans. Whether that involves trading away one of the most singular talents in NFL history as a part of this offseason's remodel remains to be seen.
