Derrick Henry, Titans agree to 4-year, $50 million contract

Derrick Henry, one of the NFL’s most successful workhouses got rewarded Wednesday with a new 4-year, $50 million contract $25.5 million guaranteed is guaranteed.

The deal makes Henry the fifth-highest paid rusher in the NFL behind Christian McCaffery, Ezekiel Elliott, Le’Veon Bell and David Johnson.

Henry’s deal came as a bit of a surprise because of reports that the two sides would not work out a new contract before Wednesday’s deadline for franchised players. Had Henry not signed, he would have made $10.27 million this season before becoming a free agent.

The new contract secures Henry’s future with Tennessee; it’s also a cap friendly deal that gives the Titans some room to sign a high-priced free agent like DE Jadeveon Clowney.

“I thought the deal made sense for me. If it provides room for the Titans to bring more players in to help the team, I’m all for it,” Henry told reporters Thursday.

While debates about the value of the running back position continue to rage, it’s impossible to overstate Henry’s value to the Titans, particularly last season and particularly when it counted most.

Henry was the NFL’s rushing leader in 2019 with 1540 rushing yards on 303 attempts and 16 touchdowns.

He was unstoppable during the Titans’ playoff run, including becoming the first player to rush for at least 180 yards in three consecutive games.

• Week 17 vs. Houston: 32 carries, 211 yards, 3 TD
• Wild Card vs. New England: 34 carries, 182 yards, TD
• Divisional vs. Baltimore: 30 carries, 195 yards, PASS TD