INDIANAPOLIS — The trajectory of ex-Alabama running back Derrick Henry’s NFL journey is undeniably uncertain, though not definitively determined.
Following ESPN’s report stating that the Tennessee Titans won’t apply the franchise tag on Derrick Henry, Titans head coach Brian Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon addressed the media about Henry’s prospects.
Callahan, recently appointed by the Titans in January, mentioned reaching out to the former Heisman Trophy recipient during the offseason and expressed optimism as negotiations loom.
“I’ve reached out,” Callahan stated during Tuesday’s NFL Scouting Combine. “I believe there’s a strong bond between him and the organization, and I know he’ll always hold the Titans close to his heart. Whatever the future holds, we’ll continue to navigate it together. I understand his significance to the city, and I’m eager to build a relationship with him.”
Carthon, entering his second year as the team’s general manager, recognizes Henry’s importance to both the Titans and the state of Tennessee but remains focused on his duties despite the ongoing situation.
“I often hear that question around town; people will come up, and the first thing they ask is, ‘Hey, we’re not going to lose Derrick, are we?’ In my 12 months on the job, I’ve fielded more Derrick Henry questions than anything else, so I understand that aspect too. However, I have a responsibility to build this team for the long term, and we’ll address the situation with Derrick and his team when the time comes.”
The Titans initially placed the franchise tag on Henry in the 2020 offseason before agreeing to a four-year extension valued at $50 million. Utilizing the franchise tag on Henry this offseason would have meant a one-year deal worth $11.951 million for the running back.
The decision by the Titans not to use the tag on Henry this offseason could signal their intentions regarding the former Crimson Tide player’s future with the team. However, it appears that neither party is firmly committed to any particular option in their negotiations.
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