Ideal Fit for Derrick Henry Is the Bears?

A Pro Football Focus article dealing with players who could be traded calls Chicago the perfect landing spot for Derrick Henry, but there are too many reasons to think otherwise.

USA Today

First the Bears brought in former Titans fullback Khari Blasingame, then former Titans running game analyst and assistant Luke Steckel.

Then they added Titans guard Nate Davis and finally running back D'Onta Foreman from Carolina, who had been a Titans back.

Now, Pro Football Focus sees the Bears going out after another part of the Titans' powerful running attack and that would be the biggest piece of all—running back Derrick Henry.

In an article about possible landing spots for players who could be on the trading block, the Bears are listed by PFF's Sam Monson as the best fit for Henry.

It's hard to argue when they have so many pieces already from that team, but adding a 6-foot-3, 247-pound, expensive player through trade seems very unlikely.

Davis blocked for Henry when he gained 2,027 yards in 2020 and said all the linemen still talk about the accomplishment. Henry is 28 now and approaching that 30-year-old cutoff often used as the end of shelf life for backs. However, he had 1,538 yards last year and a career-high 33 receptions. He could have challenged 2,000 yards again in 2021 if not for a broken foot he suffered against Matt Eberflus' defense in Indianapolis that cut his season down to eight games. He still had 937 yards that year.

#Bears new Nose Tackle Andrew Billings brings a healthy dose of size and violence to a D-Line that sorely needs it.

He's a decent interior pocket-squeezer and eats up space in the run game well. Check out some of the battles on this reel -- he's not an easy man to move! pic.twitter.com/Jd9FFh5tbg

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) March 23, 2023

The story called the Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills best possible landing spots, but not as ideal as the Bears.

 It's debatable whether they would be ideal for several reasons, but more that this they simply are not in the market for a back who has a cap cost of $16.4 million after they got rid of one who got only $6 million a year, David Montgomery.

Khalil Herbert, Foreman and Travis Homer might not be a perfect backfield and they might want to add that young player with all-around potential. Signing a veteran doesn't seem like the answer.

More drill work from Paris Johnson Jr. and Luke Wypler: pic.twitter.com/of0KPetsFC

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 22, 2023

It's one of those moves nice to imagine and ponder but really, from the way Ryan Poles if building this team a move like that would be entirely detrimental.

It's a young team and there are different players in various roles. The offensive focus is not on one power back who has averaged a whopping 250 carries a year but rather a backfield-by-committee. 

Not only that, but a back with that many carries takes away runs by quarterback Justin Fields and limits his pass attempts.

It's not entirely clear the Bears have decided to continue adding backs after signing Foreman and Homer, but if they do the cheaper method and one that wouldn't cost them draft picks, makes far more sense.

.@GeorgiaFootball #BroderickJones has technique to go with talent. Love O-Lineman who dip to get good pad level before they snap their hips to get movement. What a great looking prospect. #godawgs #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/evYSkh3GEq

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) March 7, 2023

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven