Wilborn Column: Titans Letting Go of Derrick Henry Was Best Decision for Team and Player

Derrick Henry, the face of the Tennessee Titans for eight seasons, had to go. The roster has so many holes to fill that re-signing a 30-year-old running back — even one coming off a fourth Pro Bowl season — would have been economically imprudent.

NASHVILLE — In a storybook world, Derrick Henry would have finished his NFL career as a Tennessee Titan. He would have become the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards and led his rebuilt team back into the playoffs. 

In the real world, Henry's contract ran its course and he's moving on to play his final years with the Baltimore Ravens, a Super Bowl contender.

It is unusual for NFL players to spend long careers with one team and retire with a fairytale ending. Cornerback Darrell Green played 20 seasons with Washington. Tackle Jackie Slater played 20 seasons with the Rams. Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, 17 seasons each. All Hall of Famers.

It's more likely that even the best players — Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas, Jerry Rice, Aaron Rodgers — will play for multiple teams. 

The reasons for change are many: skills erode; contracts become unaffordable; losing teams rebuild; the still viable player pursues the ring.

Derrick Henry, the face of the Titans for eight seasons, had to go.

The Tennessee roster has so many holes to fill that re-signing a 30-year-old running back — even one coming off a fourth Pro Bowl season — would have been economically imprudent.

The Titans are starting over. Come September, a first-time head coach (Brian Callahan) and second-year quarterback (Will Levis) will be leading the offense. It's feasible that the starting lineup could include rookies at left tackle, wide receiver, and cornerback.

Tony Pollard, a younger and less expensive free-agent acquisition, will take Henry's place. Pollard is shorter, smaller. He will not remind anyone of Henry with a full head of steam in the open field. Pollard is a complementary piece in an offense that will be redesigned around Levis.  

And now Henry gets what he wants and deserves: a chance to compete again in late January and perhaps February.

While his age is typically an inflection point in the life of an NFL running back, he still ran for almost 1,200 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in 2023. In some key metrics, only Christian McCaffrey was better.

NFL edge defenders must be sweating the thought of dealing with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the same backfield.

Deion Sanders tweeted on X: "@KingHenry_2 with the Ravens & @Lj_era8 Lord have mercy on the rest of the league." 

Related Titans stories

• NEW CENTER LLOYD CUSHENBERRY: The Tennessee Titans reportedly will sign Denver Broncos free agent Lloyd Cushenberry, who is expected to pass protection up the middle for quarterback Will Levis. Cushenberry, who is 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, allowed only one sack in 2023. CLICK HERE
• NEW CORNERBACK CHIDOBE AWUZIE: Chidobe Awuzie, 28, spent three seasons in Cincinnati, where Titans coach Brian Callahan was offensive coordinator. Pro Football Focus ranked Awuzie as the fourth-best free-agent cornerback available. CLICK HERE