Bears Favorites to Sign Two-Time All-Pro Superstar This Offseason
Now here’s an interesting one from the oddsmakers. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is set to be a free agent this offseason. The veteran running back will likely have multiple suitors, but according to Bet Tennessee, the Chicago Bears have the best odds of landing him.
Bet Tennessee has the Bears tied with the Houston Texans as the teams with the best odds (+600) to sign Henry this offseason.
King Henry rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, getting named to his fourth Pro Bowl. He has led the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the last five years, and while he just turned 30 in January of 2024, he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
The Bears will also be in the market for a running back this offseason, but general manager Ryan Poles has shown no inclination to pay top dollar for the position. Considering this, is Henry even a realistic possibility?
Money will be a huge factor in where Henry plays next season. A two-time All-Pro (first team in 2020, second team in 2019), the 6-foot-3, 247-pound RB has been one of the league’s best backs since the Titans drafted him in the second round in 2016.
Henry inked a four-year, $50 million extension in 2020, and now, he’ll be looking for a new contract. He likely won’t command as much this time around, though.
PFF has Henry projected to sign a two-year contract for $20 million ($10 million per season average, $13 million guaranteed). Over the Cap has him at a similar valuation, predicting he’ll sign for just under $10 million per season.
Spotrac has his projected market value far lower at $4.3 per season, which seems too low for a player with Henry’s history. If he commanded that low of a salary, it would be surprising — and he would be an option in Chicago. It’s highly unlikely Poles will shell out $10 million a year for a RB, even one of Henry’s ilk.
