Before hitting 328 rushing yards through the first five games for the Tennessee Titans, there was the thought of Derrick Henry severing ties with the only NFL team he’s ever played for.
That was because his offseason was filled with trade rumblings, including one rumor involving a former NFL defensive lineman turned media personality.
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Revisiting the Offseason Rumors Involving Derrick Henry
Thoughts of the Titans moving on from their franchise running back began after the season in January 2023. Henry was entering a contract year and getting older, fueling the rumors of his departure.
But then, it intensified through one social media post involving Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. The former NFL defensive end and co-host of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior posted on April 21 that Henry was on his way to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he walked back on his rumors and admitted he “blew up the scene.”
Akbar Gbajabiamila addresses his Derrick Henry to the #Eagles report that proved to be false: “I had a very, very credible source. I do believe I messed up this trade.. I think because I got out ahead of it, and it blew up, I blew up the scene.”
( via @RichEisenShow ) pic.twitter.com/VrIkyhATky
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) June 13, 2023
Henry, meanwhile, dove into his offseason of dealing with the rumor mill with The Tennessean in June 2023.
“We can’t really worry about that too much,” Henry said to Nick Suss. “Just control what you can control. Continue to work until it’s time to get back and get back to work.”
He also shared how he met with general manager Ran Carthon about the status of his future but didn’t elaborate on the details of their meeting.
MORE: Tennessee Titans Depth Chart
“Just talking to him. Meeting him in person,” Henry said in the June interview. “Just doing all those things when you get here and you get into football.”
Carthon then stated his stance on Henry by telling the Nashville media that he had no desire to trade the past 2,000-yard rusher on the eve of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Will the Titans Still Move Henry?
The league’s trade deadline is still in effect for the next two weeks, as teams can still make a deal before Halloween.
MORE: NFL Bye Weeks Schedule 2023
There are still analysts who believe Henry is a trade target. Part of it is the Titans having a younger, faster option in Tyjae Spears, who has 156 yards and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Henry, 30, is still the rushing leader but is only averaging 3.8 yards per carry.
Another reason is there are aspiring NFL playoff contenders who may need an extra backfield presence. The 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to mind as they’ve yet to find a replacement for downhill runner Leonard Fournette. Rachaad White is the lead rusher, but he is averaging just 3.3 yards per handoff.
Even teams struggling to establish their ground attack, like the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, or Los Angeles Rams, could find themselves linked to Henry. All four teams have averaged below four yards per carry.
Henry is entering the twilight years of his decorated rushing career. But there’s still the thought he’s nearing the end of his time in Nashville.