5 priority offseason moves for the Tennessee Titans

1. Pony Up To Keep Derrick Henry

Yes, it’s generally not a good idea to give a running back a big second contract as they reach the back half of their 20s. But Henry is the engine to the Titans’ offense, with a rushing title in his contract year as he had another late surge this year (896 yards and 10 touchdowns over his last six regular season games, 377 yards in Tennessee’s fist two playoff games). Trying to tackle a 6-foot-3, 247 pound man who can run 25-30 times a game wears on a defense like few backs can,a and it shows late in games and late in seasons when Henry is properly used.

Henry will surely be looking to reset the top of the running back market with his next deal as he hits free agency, probably in the range of $15 million per year with around $50 million guarantees. He just turned 26 (January 4), and he was criminally underused in his first two seasons (286 combined carries in 31 games over 2016 and 2017), so he doesn’t have as much wear and tear as many other backs entering their age-26 season might. A four or five-year deal, perhaps with an easy financial out on the fifth year, does not seem unreasonable.

If the Titans don’t pony up to keep Henry, another gladly will to bring him aboard. But there’s a strong argument he’s more important to Tennessee than he would be to any other team who might be in the market for a running back. Bringing Henry back, as long as the contract numbers don’t get unrealistically crazy in terms of asking price, is No. 1 on the offseason agenda for Tennessee.