Why Titans made the right call to not franchise tag Derrick Henry
NOT franchise tagging Derrick Henry was the right thing to do
Reports indicate that the Tennessee Titans have opted not to employ the franchise tag on standout running back Derrick Henry before the impending March 5 deadline. This was first disclosed by Adam Schefter of ESPN. Here, we explore the daring decision made by the Titans, which has unsurprisingly sparked debates across the NFL landscape. Through a thorough examination of the repercussions of this tactical selection, we aim to shed light on the reasoning behind this choice. We also try to see its potential ramifications on the Titans’ trajectory for the 2024 NFL offseason.
The Titans’ 2023 season was a tumultuous journey. It was marked by challenges and unmet expectations. With a disappointing 6-11 record, the team fell short of playoff contention. Of course, this left both fans and analysts puzzled. Despite sporadic flashes of brilliance, inconsistency plagued their performances, casting shadows over their aspirations for success.
The Titans wanted to surpass their underwhelming 7–10 record from the previous year and reclaim a playoff spot after missing out for the first time since 2018. However, their hopes were dashed after a Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans in overtime. This marked the second consecutive year of missing the playoffs. A subsequent defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16 solidified their position at the bottom of the AFC South, with no improvement on their 7–10 record from 2022. Consequently, on January 9, the Titans parted ways with erstwhile head coach Mike Vrabel, signaling a significant change in leadership.
Derrick Henry stands as the prominent figure among the Titans’ impending free agents for 2024. While both parties initially expressed openness to continuing their relationship, now we know that very likely won’t happen. Primarily, Henry has conveyed indications of anticipating a departure, emphasizing the paramount importance of winning a Super Bowl. Frankly speaking, that’s an opportunity the Titans may not provide in 2024.
Furthermore, we must consider the Titans’ transition to a more pass-oriented approach under new head coach Brian Callahan. This, coupled with their status as a team in transition, means investing the necessary resources to retain a 30-year-old running back is nearly impossible. Such a decision would have been more conceivable had Tennessee retained Vrabel as head coach.
When assessing the situation objectively, a separation really was in the best interest of both parties. As such, everyone expects Henry to certainly pursue opportunities elsewhere in 2024.
