Titans, Derrick Henry agree to a four-year, $50 million extension just before deadline, per report

[CGI_Ram]

Titans, Derrick Henry agree to a four-year, $50 million extension just before deadline, per report

The Titans lock in Henry for the next four years

www.cbssports.com

Titans, Derrick Henry agree to a four-year, $50 million extension just before deadline, per report

In a shocking turn of events, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will not play out the 2020 season on the franchise tag. Just yesterday, it was reported that the two sides were having trouble on agreeing to terms on an extension, and that Henry was likely to play under the tag this upcoming season. But shortly after the deadline, ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news that Henry had secured a four-year, $50 million deal that includes $25.5 million guaranteed.

In 2019, Henry led the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 18.9 carries a game -- even though he averaged a whopping 24.7 carries over the final nine games. The Titans averaged 30.9 points per game over this stretch, but Henry paid the price by recording 25-plus carries four times, including three consecutive games recording 30-plus rushing attempts (96 total). Overall, Henry recorded 386 carries in 2020, which ranks among the top 25 all-time for rushing attempts in a combined regular and postseason. He was the main reason the Titans made it all the way to the AFC Championship game last season, and the Titans are making sure he will be a part of their long-term plans.

Recent history indicates that resetting the running back market is not in the best interest of teams. In April, the Carolina Panthers reset the market by signing Christian McCaffrey to a four-year deal worth $16 million per season. His prowess as both a runner and pass-catcher has made him one of the most elite offensive weapons in the NFL, but it's hard to argue against the fact that while Henry isn't an elite receiver, his 446 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs last year made up one of the most impressive postseason performances in recent memory. Henry's average of $12.5 million per year ranks fifth in the NFL in average salary for running backs behind McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Le'Veon Bell and David Johnson, per Spotrac.

Henry was originally drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Titans out of the University of Alabama, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2015. In 62 career regular-season games, he has rushed for 3,833 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per attempt.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Derrick Henry extension compared to the Todd Gurley extension in 2018

Gurley comes out ahead and running backs are just taking what they can get at this point

www.turfshowtimes.com

The Derrick Henry extension compared to the Todd Gurley extension in 2018

Which running backs have taken the league by storm in the last five years? Let me hazard a few guesses.

David Johnson and Ezekiel Elliott in 2016.

Todd Gurley and Kareem Hunt in 2017.

Gurley, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara in 2018.

McCaffrey and Derrick Henry in 2019.

I don’t want to waste too much time arguing this list but these are 10 individual seasons that I would say attracted headlines, drew significant interest to those teams, helped them win, and were exceptionally productive. And the only two players in there who are true “runners” are probably Elliott and Henry.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018, Henry in 2019. But not even Elliott could match the interest, hype, and production that Henry had from Week 10 of last season up until his team’s loss in the AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs. Not only was Henry putting up insane numbers and helping the Tennessee Titans win every time he did, but he did so in an era where both fans and teams alike are driving the value of running backs way down.

There is little regard for the individuals playing the position and instead the position is seen as totally replaceable. Is that true? Could the Titans have opted to not give the franchise tag to Henry and instead started third round rookie Darrynton Evans or perhaps Dalyn Dawkins, Khari Blasingame, Senorise Perry, Shaun Wilson, and Cameron Scarlett, all of whom are real running backs on their roster? Is the difference too negligible to pay Henry a large sum of money over several years?

Tennessee wouldn’t say so.

On Wednesday it was reported that the Titans agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract with $25.5 million in full guarantees with Henry, avoiding the tag and ensuring that they have the right to keep him around until 2023.

It is great for Henry to see that he’ll be rewarded for all of his efforts over the last four years on a second round rookie contract. However it is hard to not notice that unlike the $503 million contract for Patrick Mahomes that was desperate to be a “record-breaking deal,” Henry’s pact seems to indicate that indeed running backs are going in the opposite direction. As I’ve noted before, the Arizona Cardinals recently had the highest-paid back in the NFL, 11 years apart, and they were basically making the exact same salary.

Well, here’s the contract Todd Gurley signed with the LA Rams two years ago: 4 years, $60 million, $22 million fully guaranteed.

Henry is the closest thing to a running running back in today’s NFL and his new average annual salary is $12.5 million, which ranks fifth overall. McCaffrey’s contract pays him $16 million per year, Elliott’s $15 million, and Le’Veon Bell’s is at $13.1 million.

McCaffrey signed his contract in April, Elliott did so last September, and Bell signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal during 2019’s free agency period. Gurley’s $15 million AAV contract came in 2018, as did Johnson, whose $13 million salary is still more than Henry. Johnson also had more in full guarantees at $24.6 million.

Take the NFL by storm at running back and you may be rewarded with a lucrative new deal. But how lucrative seems to be getting smaller by the month.

 

[JRobinson]

Henry is a beast and an absolute load to bring to the ground. I’d be willing to bet that this RB contract will end up paying out nicely. Good sign IMO.

 

[dieterbrock]

Henry is a beast and an absolute load to bring to the ground. I’d be willing to bet that this RB contract will end up paying out nicely. Good sign IMO.

Agreed. While nothing is guaranteed I'd think Henry is a pretty safe bet due to his running style.
Never could understand why he hadnt been used more, why they insisted on splitting carries.
I had him on my FFB team for a couple seasons, and still laugh how I had benched him in the game he ran for 230 yards and 4 TD

 

[Corbin]

I might as well got it out the way, wish we gave Gurley something similar to this for his extension. Good contract for the Titans and Henry.

 

[Ram65]

It's good that Henry gets at least $25.5 Mil no matter what. It could be a two-year deal. The Titans can easily take the cap hit after two years. You can read the numbers. Cutting him in 2022 $15 Mil cap hit $12 Mil salary with a $6 Mil cap hit would save money and cap space. He made over $15.5 Million before this contract so he won't be hurting for money. He will be 28 in 2022 so I think the Titans made a good deal. It's hard to pay running backstop money as they age. If he is still producing they could keep him.

Current Contract

Derrick Henry signed a 4 year, $50,000,000 contract with the Tennessee Titans, including a $12,000,000 signing bonus, $25,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $12,500,000. In 2020, Henry will earn a base salary of $3,000,000 and a signing bonus of $12,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $6,000,000 and a dead cap value of $25,500,000.

CONTRACT TERMS:4 yr(s) / $50,000,000

SIGNING BONUS$12,000,000

AVERAGE SALARY$12,500,000

GTD AT SIGN:-

TOTAL GTD:$25,500,000

FREE AGENT:2024 / UFA

	BONUS BREAKDOWN	CAP DETAILS	CASH DETAILS
YEAR		AGE	BASE SALARY	SIGNING	CAP HIT	DEAD CAP	YEARLY CASH
2020		26	$3,000,000	$3,000,000	$6,000,000	$25,500,000	$15,000,000($15,000,000)
2021		27	$10,500,000	$3,000,000	$13,500,000	$19,500,000	$10,500,000($25,500,000)
POTENTIAL OUT: 2022, 2 YR, $25,500,000; $6,000,000 DEAD CAP
2022		28	$12,000,000	$3,000,000	$15,000,000	$6,000,000	$12,000,000($37,500,000)
2023		29	$12,500,000	$3,000,000	$15,500,000	$3,000,000	$12,500,000($50,000,000)
2024		30	UFA

 

[den-the-coach]

I like Henry and the Titans will ride him like a ten cent pony!

 

[Psycho_X]

Not much per year compared to other positions but this is what RB agents should be going for, a lower total number but higher guarantees. Smart move by Titans and Henry.

 

[RamsSince1969]

"Henry was originally drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Titans out of the University of Alabama, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2015. In 62 career regular-season games, he has rushed for 3,833 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. "

Look at Cam Akers for a moment.
35 Games
2875 Yards.
27 TD's
4.91 yards per attempt.