Titans, Derrick Henry reach contract extension deal

NASHVILLE – Derrick Henry, the 2019 NFL rushing champ, carried the Titans offense during their run to the AFC championship game in Kansas City.

It’s looking like Tennessee will be rewarding him accordingly.

Henry and the Titans have reached an agreement on a long-term deal just before the deadline Wednesday, a person with knowledge of the extension confirmed to The Tennessean. The person requested anonymity because the deal hadn’t been made public.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the deal is for four years and $50 million with $25.5 million guaranteed.

The Titans ensured that Henry would be with them in 2020 by placing the franchise tag on him in March, but both sides over the course of the offseason had publicly expressed interest in reaching a long-term agreement.

“I’d love to be a Titan for the rest of my career,” Henry told USA TODAY Sports in January. “Love the organization, love the team, love everybody, love the fans and love the city.”

At the NFL Scouting Combine in late February, Titans general manager Jon Robinson was asked about his philosophy when it comes to handing out second contracts to running backs, who generally are one of the more replaceable marquee positions.

“I think anytime, really with any player, when you do a deal, regardless of the position, if the player works out, it looks great,” Robinson said. “If it doesn’t work out, then I look like an idiot. That’s the way it goes. That’s what I signed up for. Regardless of the position – you asked about running back – I think if we get something done with Derrick, I think he has a great career, which we expect him to, and he continues to build on the foundation that he’s laid here for us, it would be good for all of us.”

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Henry, 26, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. In 2019 for the Titans, he led the league with 1,540 rushing yards while serving as the engine for the Tennessee offense. With 446 more rushing yards in three playoff games, he played a vital role in the Titans’ advancing to the AFC championship game for the first time since the 2002 season.

Reach Erik Bacharach at [email protected] and on Twitter @ErikBacharach.

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