The Tennessee Titans have a slew of free agents to make decisions on this offseason, but the biggest name on the list is running back Derrick Henry.
After the season finale, Henry said his goodbye to fans and sure sounded like someone who doesn’t expect to be back with the team, even though he has publicly stated that he hasn’t closed the door on a return.
When asked about Henry on Friday during an interview on 102.5 The Game, new Titans head coach Brian Callahan said he would indeed fit in his offense and made it clear he’s open to keeping the star back.
“I think a player like Derrick Henry fits in every offense,” Callahan said. “He’s been a remarkable player, he’s been the face of the franchise here for a long time and when you think of the Tennessee Titans, you think of Derrick Henry. He’s earned that.
“If he is open to a return that fits for us, I’m never going to say no to good players. And I know that he’s been an incredible leader in this building as well, which also carries a lot of weight. You can find ways to use every player. There is no offensive system that would say ‘I don’t like to have Derrick Henry here.’
“I certainly think he’s got some gas left in the tank, too. So, we’ll see where that goes. I know he’s going to hit the market probably and try to see what’s out there for him, but I would never say no to a player like that if they would like to return here and it fits for us. I just think he’s such a fantastic person on top of it and he’s meant so much to this city, I would never just dismiss that.”
Even if the Titans are dead-set on bringing Henry back, it takes two to tango and right now there’s enough to suggest he may not be interested in staying.
For starters, the firing of head coach Mike Vrabel likely didn’t help. Adding to that, Henry has made it quite clear winning a Super Bowl is paramount, something the Titans are unlikely to give him a chance to do in 2024.
It would be great to see Henry play his entire career in the two-tone blue, but at this point it feels like he’s more likely to move on than not.
