Derrick Henry, The Hall Of Fame Debate

Is he, or isn't he Hall of Fame worthy already, and if not, what would it take to get there?

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE - A recent Twitter question asked if Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was a Hall of Fame player. Most respondents said, yes, the man they call "King Henry" is a future Hall of Famer.    

Henry currently sits fourth on the list of all-time rushers for the Titans, behind franchise leader Eddie George (10,441 and 28th all-time), Chris Johnson (9,651 and 35th all-time), and Earl Campbell (9,407 and 37th all-time).   

He currently stands at No. 42 on the NFL all-time list, which is ahead of six running backs already enshrined in Canton.  

Should Henry remain a Titans for the final season of his contract, he would need 1,073 yards to pass Campbell on the team and all-time list. With another 1,317 yards, Henry would vault past Johnson to No.2 all-time in Titans lore and take the No.35 spot. 

Considering his career since becoming the team's feature back, Henry has failed to surpass the thousand-yard mark just once in his injury-shortened 2021 season, where he managed a mere 937 yards in eight games.   

So it would be a stretch, considering his 1,538 yards season in 2022, that Henry could supplant Johnson with a similar 2023 campaign. 

It's also possible, though highly unlikely, that Henry could jump to No.1 all-time in team history this season. He would have to do what has never been done by any other back in league history, produce a second two-thousand-yard season to do it. 

For my money, Henry is knocking on the door to Canton. It would be great to see him end his career a Titan, but when and if he surpasses the ten-thousand-yard marker, along with being only one of eight to cross the two-thousand-yard mark in a single season, he's destined for a place in Canton. 

The question that needs to be asked of Henry does he want to finish his carer a Titan, and if so, how much would he be willing to take on a team-friendly contract to resign one more time in Nashville?  

Whether we've seen the last of him in two-tone blue or get one more season, he has been a thrill to watch and will someday have his name hanging atop Nissan Stadium, or the new one, as an all-time franchise great. 

The fans would like to see him finish it out here, and maybe even some of us in the media would too.  

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