Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry has signed his franchise tag, which guarantees him a base salary of $10.2 million this upcoming season, but the two sides are still working on a new long-term deal that will keep Henry in Nashville for years to come. According to general manager Jon Robinson, the Titans and Henry's representation spoke last week and again this week, and talks have been positive.
"He wants to get something done," Robinson said, via Pro Football Talk. "We want to get something done, and we're working toward that. It's about coming to that common-ground spot as it is in every negotiation. We're anxious to keep the conversations going and keep talking through things."
The Titans must agree to an extension before July 15, or Henry will have to play under the one-year tag. As for what the two sides are still working through, Robinson wasn't very specific on the matter. He just reiterated that talks have been positive and that they will continue to work together.
"We're just continuing to work through things," Robinson said. "The conversations have been positive between me and the reps there and we're just trying to find some common ground.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Derrick is an important part of what we do, and we're just trying to find the spot where we all need to be and where we all want to be."
Henry is coming off of a career year in which he rushed for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He stepped up his game as the 2019 season went on, as Henry recorded just one 100-yard rushing game in the first nine weeks, but recorded five 100-yard rushing games in his last six regular-season games. The former second-round pick quite literally carried the Titans to the AFC Championship, as he rushed for 446 yards, two touchdowns and he even threw a touchdown pass in three postseason games.
Recent history indicates that resetting the running back market is not wise, but Henry was the No. 1 reason the Titans reached a new level of success in 2019. Tennessee appears confident in his abilities and ready to run it back this upcoming season.
