Derrick Henry's Potential Return in 2024 Will Be About Role as Much as Contract
The Tennessee Titans could see the end of an era when this season concludes in three weeks. Star running back Derrick Henry is set to become a free agent and there is no certainty he will be brought back. A potential reunion with Henry in 2024 will depend on multiple factors.
Obviously, when discussing any free agent dealings, the biggest factor is the contract. Players want to be paid what they are worth compared to their peers. Henry's case is complicated in this matter, but it may not be the most complicated part.
Henry is still most certainly capable of big games. If he is able to get an open lane to the second level of a defense, he can make smaller player pay with his straight-line speed and strength. On the other side, Henry clearly lacks a quickness at this stage and he has limitations in the passing game.
Mike Vrabel spoke about this reality with Henry in a very poignant and courteous way on Monday when asked if Henry's days as an elite running back were over after his 20 touch, 10 yard performance against the Texans.
"We understand that Derrick's got a certain running style," Vrabel explained, "great skillset and we have to be able to get him going and give him some space and get him to the second level. He in turn has to be able to help the line, help the receivers, help the tight end. It all goes hand in hand."
"You don't just hand it to a guy and they beat three people, but there's also times where guys make a great cut or guys make a guy miss or Derrick stiff-arms a guy. So, certainly after yesterday, nobody was good enough. Everybody involved."
It is pretty clear that Vrabel is saying Henry needs to make someone miss as much as the offensive line needs to block better. Both problems are real and that is why the Titans cannot treat Henry as the engine of their offensive going forward.
He can't be paid like that and the offense can't be expected to be at it's best when he gets 20 carries a game. It needs to evolve into a more modern offense that is designed around speed on the perimeter and a committee-based approach with versatile backs.
Now, that is not to say that Henry can't have a place. Henry has his strengths and a valuable skillset, but he needs to be used as a tool in the toolbox, not the toolbox itself. Tyjae Spears should be the lead back for this team in 2024 and as long as Henry and the offensive play-caller understand and operate that way, there can still be a beneficial relationship.
That is arguably more important than the price tag, but money will always be a factor. If Henry is willing to agree and the Titans agree as well, then the next step will be the contract. Right now, Henry's market projection is $9.5 million per season according to Spotrac.com and that is simply too high.
I personally doubt we see Henry get that kind of money this offseason from anyone, but it certainly can't be the Titans. With the slew of serviceable veterans and a sea of potential rookies that could easily be part of a Spears-led committee, you can find contributors that would be significantly cheaper.
Would you rather have Henry and Spears for $11.5 million or Spears and Zack Moss for $6 million? That answer should be simple at this stage and Moss is just one name of many. Another rookie with Spears could cost as little as $2 million total.
This would give the Titans more money to spend on positions that are more difficult to find talent at, that they also happened to desperately need. Wide receiver, offensive line and the secondary could all use major upgrades. Upgrades you might be able to afford if you don't spend $10 million on Henry.
So, if Henry agrees to a reduced role and will sign for somewhere near the $6 million mark, a reunion could be possible and could lead to Henry finally eclipsing 10,000 career rushing yards and 100 touchdowns while wearing a Titans jersey his entire career.
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