Titans' Derrick Henry, on Podcast, Discusses Trades That Didn't Happen, Unlikely Return

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, on a podcast with former Titan teammates, revealed how he was nearly traded this season and how much he wants to play for a Super Bowl contender. Here are some highlights from the conversation.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry, speaking on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast, shared his appreciation for his eight years with the Titans, how close he was to getting traded this past season, and his desire to win a Super Bowl.

Henry's Jan. 9 conversation with former teammates Taylor Lewan and Will Compton  aired this week. On the same day as the interview, the Titans fired Mike Vrabel after a 6-11 season.

Henry didn't rule out the possibility of a return to Tennessee, but he seemed to accept the reality that the team could be in for a rebuild that doesn't involve him.

"I just feel like they're going in a different direction. I feel like [Vrabel's firing] definitely solidified that. And that's okay. That happens," Henry said on the podcast. "That's the nature of the business. We want something to last forever. Nothing does, especially in this business. I'll always be a Titan, even if I don't come back.

"At the end of the day, I want to win the Super Bowl. Wherever that is that gives me the best chance, that's what I want to do. I don't have no bad blood or feel no type of way if I'm not back. It's just what was supposed to happen. The story is already written; we're all just living it."

Here are some other highlights from the podcast. 

Henry on Vrabel's dismissal 

"I’m definitely surprised because of the body of work that Vrabs has had since he’s been there. Yeah, these last two years have been tough, but I feel like Vrabs is a great coach. He has a championship mentality. He’s a leader of men. He knows (how) to get the best out of his players.

"It’s different in the front office, the personnel that they have. Maybe they have a different vision. I’m not sure. I don’t know all the details. I would have thought he’d still be the coach. 

"I thought they probably would just talk it out and make some adjustments as time went forward for the future of the organization. It was shocking to me. I’m sure Vrabs will have plenty of opportunities or another opportunity somewhere down the road."

On the Titans nearly trading him to a playoff team

"Yeah, I know two for sure. The other one, I don’t know if that would have happened. But one of them, I felt like it was pretty close. 

"A lot went down between … that little saga with the trade. When they traded (safety Kevin Byard), I was just like 'dang.' They trade KB, I might be out of here, too. When you think of a Titan, KB represents all of that."

On what he's looking for in a team

"I want to be somewhere that, whatever happens, that gives me the best shot of winning the Super Bowl. The business side is the business side. 

"At the end of the day, it has to make sense. I’m not just going to accept anything because it’s a long season, we put our bodies through a lot. 

"But at the same time, I want to be on a roster that can go out there and put ourselves in position and be able to win games, get in the playoffs, and contend for a ring.

"I ain't done playing. I'm nowhere near done playing. I still feel like I can run for another 2,000, but that’s for the future to tell."

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