Derrick Henry’s departure was inevitable as Titans build pass-first offense

Ben Arthur

AFC South Reporter

Derrick Henry‘s leaving from the Tennessee Titans felt inevitable prior to it turned into legit Tuesday, when he showed that he had correct to phrases with the Baltimore Ravens. It has felt inevitable for a era, even with unutilized trainer Brian Callahan and common supervisor Ran Carthon by no means ruling out a go back. 

Relationship again to extreme season’s industry closing date, there were hypothesis Henry may well be moved. After he bid adios nearest Tennessee’s ultimate house sport in 2023, grabbing the microphone at Nissan Stadium to thank enthusiasts for the “greatest eight years of my life.” The Titans are a staff now utterly in a rebuild, led by way of an offensive-minded Callahan who prioritizes the move, a bright distinction to the run-first schemes constructed round Henry the moment a number of years. 

The writing were at the wall. After the franchise correct to phrases on a guarantee Monday with former Cowboys operating again Tony Pollard, a league supply showed to FOX Sports activities. 

And the truth is this split of the way is the most efficient for all sides, even though it’s painful for Nashville. Even with the entire reminiscences Henry gave the town and franchise as considered one of its maximum iconic avid gamers ever. Like his mythical run within the 2019 postseason to hold the Titans to the AFC Championship Recreation. All of the stiff hands. All of the instances he wore indisposed combatants overdue and iced video games within the fourth quarter, with “Henry!” chants ringing all over Nissan Stadium. 

Henry ranks first in franchise historical past with 90 dashing touchdowns and moment in carries (2,030) and dashing yards (9,502). What’s maximum remarkable is his sustained greatness moment his top operating again years. He has began to go into the similar breath because the likes of Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore, who discovered good fortune neatly into their 30s. 

Now 30, Henry is coming off a season with 1,167 yards — moment within the league — enjoying in the back of one of the most NFL’s worst offensive traces. He has ranked first or moment in dashing in 4 of the moment 5 seasons. The 12 months he didn’t, 2021, is when he ignored 9 video games with a Jones break in his proper bedrock — and he nonetheless ranked 9th within the league with 937 dashing yards. 

For Henry, the Ravens give him a anticipation to compete for a Tremendous Bowl. He joins two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson to method what has the prospective to be some of the interesting dashing assaults in NFL historical past. 

For the Titans, Henry’s leaving permits Callahan to create his pass-first offense round quarterback Will Levis.

Pollard and promising second-year operating again Tyjae Spears give Callahan a backfield that doesn’t tip off combatants about what’s coming. On the mix, Callahan discussed that he doesn’t imagine that operating backs were devalued. He believes, instead, that there’s been a category of work on the place. Pairing Pollard with Spears speaks to that trust, as they’re anticipated to crack the weight in Nashville.  

Derrick Henry has the same opinion to two-year, $16 million offer with Ravens

Each have pass-catching price, which we’ve realized Callahan holds at a top rate. Pollard has had no less than 39 receptions every of the moment 3 seasons, by no means completing with fewer than 300 receiving yards. Spears had 52 receptions for 385 yards and a landing as a rookie. Henry has been extra concerned within the passing sport the moment two seasons, nevertheless it’s by no means been a power. He’s had fewer than 20 receptions in six of his 8 NFL seasons. 

Pollard and Spears are dynamic, too. Pollard, who has posted consecutive 1,000-yard dashing seasons, had 819 yards nearest touch in 2023, third-most within the league, in keeping with Nearest Gen Stats. Spears had 1,108 all-purpose yards extreme season, showcasing his shiftiness as a flexible weapon. On the mix, Carthon gave the previous Tulane big name rave opinions, pronouncing he’s product of “the right s—.” 

The anticipated signing of free-agent heart Lloyd Cushenberry to a record-setting guarantee additionally suits into the Titans’ pass-first scheme. Of the 31 facilities who performed no less than 461 pass-block snaps extreme season, Cushennberry ranked moment with 14 pressures allowed and tie for moment with only one sack allowed, in keeping with Professional Soccer Center of attention. 

Henry is on a Corridor-of-Popularity trajectory. He’ll one era be within the Titans/Oilers Ring of Honor, the place he’ll be immortalized with the alternative greats of the franchise. 

However lately isn’t that era. 

For now, he leaves Nashville — and it’s for the most efficient.

Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports activities. He prior to now labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he used to be the Titans beat essayist for a 12 months and a part. He lined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You’ll be able to apply Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.

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