NASHVILLE — Derrick Henry, who has rushed for more yards than anyone since the start of the 2016 NFL season, seems on a mission.
First, he wants to help the Tennessee Titans win as he completes the final year of his contract, to prove he deserves another one. Second, he wants to prove that the ground game is still important in the league and running backs should be paid more.
Henry pointed out that running backs sometimes touch the ball as often as quarterbacks and that they remain important marketing assets.
“Haven’t you all noticed? I’m pretty sure it is, said Henry. So yes, just trying to show that we have the same value as all the other positions. They use us for advertisements everywhere. We just want our fair share.”
That’s why Henry set up a chat group with the NFL’s top forwards before training camps opened. He wanted to help other players in his position to improve their market value in the near future.
Henry knows how the running backs who have been given the franchise tag this year feel. He was tagged himself in March 2020, but he reached a four-year deal before the deadline.
“It’s tough right now,” Henry said earlier in camp. I just want to do everything in my power to help show our worth. I do it on the field, but we are certainly trying to regroup to improve the situation.
Henry will have the biggest payroll impact at his position this season, at US$16.3m. Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns claims a slightly higher base salary at $10.85M, compared to Henry’s $10.5M, according to Spotrac.com
Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in 2022 with 1,653 yards, just ahead of Henry (1,538), received the tag with the Las Vegas Raiders. He eventually agreed with the team for a one-season, $12 million pact, on top of the $10.1 million salary he would have received under the tag.
Jacobs said Wednesday he knows how to approach the negotiations without needing advice from Henry. But Jacobs knows the stories all too well about Henry, who never skips a session in the gym, even after strong performances during games.
“He’s always been different,” Jacobs said. Just seeing now how successful he is and going on the court for his team for so long…I want to do that here with the Raiders.”
Henry is one of eight players to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season. That was in 2020. A good season this year would put him in position to surpass Eddie George’s team record of 10,009 yards.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was well-positioned to assess Henry’s worth over the past five seasons.
“We’re counting on Henry on offense to be successful,” said Vrabel. He has a good level of consistency to be able to handle the workload.”
Henry already owns the Titans’ marks in touchdowns (81) and rushing majors (78). He could join Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (nine) and Adrian Peterson (seven) with at least six straight seasons with 10 or more rushing touchdowns.
Henry feels people focus too much on the number of runs, and he’s had at least 303 in three of the past four seasons. What people don’t consider when it comes to talking about contracts is production, which is practically used against running backs.
“All you can do is try to be the best player you can be and hope the team understands your value and recognizes that you’re trying to do your best to help the team win games and to make it to the Super Bowl,” concluded Henry.
2023-09-01 03:41:41
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