Titans running back Derrick Henry’s rookie contract expires at season’s end. While he has said on more than one occasion that he’d love to stay in Tennessee, it could cost Tennessee some serious money. Henry is coming off a season in which he not only captured his first NFL rushing title but carried the team on his back to a pair of playoff victories.
Tennessee has two quarterbacks on their current roster with expiring contracts. Could they afford to invest heavily in both positions in the same offseason? That’s not to mention that they have other positions to address, too, such as pass rush and secondary help.
Here’s a look at the last 10 big-money running back contracts.
10. Duke Johnson – Houston Texans (2018)
Three years, $15.6 million, with $7.8 million guaranteed
9. Lamar Miller – Houston Texans (2016)
Four years, $26 million, with $14 million guaranteed
8. Leonard Fournette – Jacksonville Jaguars (2017)
Four years, $27.2 million, fully-guaranteed (rookie contract)
7. Jerick McKinnon – San Francisco 49ers (2018)
Four years, $30 million, with $18 million guaranteed
6. Saquon Barkley – New York Giants (2018)
Four years, $31.2 million, fully-guaranteed (rookie contract)
5. Devonta Freeman – Atlanta Falcons (2017)
Five years, $41.3 million, with $22 million guaranteed
4. David Johnson – Arizona Cardinals (2018)
Three years, $39 million, with $31.9 million guaranteed
3. Le’Veon Bell – New York Jets (2019)
Four years, $52.5 million, with $27 million guaranteed
2. Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams (2018)
Four years, $57.5 million, with $45 million guaranteed
1. Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys (2019)
Six years, $90 million, with $50 million guaranteed
Could Derrick Henry be the first $100 million running back in league history? Probably not, but a four- to five-year deal between the $15 million to $18 million per season mark with a nice guarantee isn’t out of the question.
Would his potential price tag be too rich for the Titans’ pockets? If they decide to invest in a multi-year deal with Ryan Tannehill or another free agent quarterback, could they afford to satisfy Henry into re-signing at a slight discount?
The Titans could also franchise tag one or both of them and that may essentially force their hand to heavily invest in both. The other holes that need to be addressed may have to be filled with bottom of the barrel guys, or veterans who’ve lost a step or two.
Henry may consider a hometown discount (that is, if he actually loves playing in Nashville as much as he says), and while he isn’t a guy to often mince his words, he most definitely wants to get paid.
One thing is for sure: Derrick Henry has more than earned whatever his asking price is. In his last 20 regular season games, he’s piled up over 2,000 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground alone. He added over 400 rushing yards and three touchdowns during the Titans’ Cinderella playoff run.
