The Tennessee Titans have franchise tagged Derrick Henry a day after signing Ryan Tannehill for $118 million
Derrick Henry got paid on Monday morning.
#Titans place franchise tag on Derrick Henry
Details ? » https://t.co/UhJkoarWbD pic.twitter.com/8vNwwPC46e
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 16, 2020
But he didn’t get Ryan Tannehill paid.
Staying in Tennessee!@Titans announce they are signing QB Ryan Tannehill to a 4-year deal worth $118M. pic.twitter.com/OAkL36976K
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) March 15, 2020
After making a little over $1 million in 2019, the final year of his rookie contract, Tennessee Titans superstar running back Derrick Henry will make roughly ten times more in 2020, assuming he decides to play on the franchise tag.
So …
• Matthew Judon, Shaq Barrett, Bud Dupree: $15.828M.
• Leonard Williams, Chris Jones: $16.126M.
• Justin Simmons: $11.441M.
• AJ Green: $17.865M
• Derrick Henry: $10.278M
• Brandon Scherff, Joe Thuney: $14.781M.
• Yannick Ngakoue: $17.778M
• Kenyan Drake: $8.483M https://t.co/7O7C8G03Tb— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2020
However, it’s not Henry being tagged that has social media in a frenzy.
It’s Henry being tagged the day after Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was signed to a long-term deal that has social media in a frenzy.
It’s a sad day in football when Ryan Tannehill can get paid 118 million dollars to throw 30 passes in 2 playoff games but Derrick Henry doesn’t have a new deal when the world knows he was the reason they made it
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) March 15, 2020
Henry was outstanding last season, dominating NFL rushing statistics across the board.
Rushing Yards in 2019
1. Derrick Henry: 1,539
2. Nick Chubb: 1,494
3. Christian McCaffrey: 1,387
4. Ezekiel Elliott: 1,357
5. Derrick Henry after contact: 1,268 pic.twitter.com/fvwn5Sa7zQ— PFF (@PFF) March 16, 2020
Not only did he lead the league in rushing yards, he led the league in rushing attempts, average yards per carry (for RB with over 200 carries), rushing yards per game, and finished tied for most rushing touchdowns.
Damn they paid the QB but the RB who made the QB job 75% lighter he don’t get no love. Boy it’s cold, thank God that man come from a good family.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) March 16, 2020
The 26-year old Henry only got better in the playoffs. In the Titans’ AFC Wild Card win over the Patriots in New England, Henry carried the ball 34 times for 182 yards and a touchdown.
A week later, in the AFC Divisional Round, Henry carried the rock 30 times for 195 yards to lead Tennessee past the top-seeded Ravens in Baltimore.
Derrick Henry seeing Ryan Tannehill get $118M pic.twitter.com/YyknTjQ3gb
— Matthew McGovern (@MatthewMcGovern) March 15, 2020
However, Henry getting the tag is just a sign of the times. Quarterbacks are more valued than ever and running backs are becoming devalued.
Reports suggest that from the start, Tannehill was at the top of the offseason pecking order.
With the Ryan Tannehill deal done, Tennessee can now franchise tag RB Derrick Henry — keeping both of their key players from the 2019 season. https://t.co/NNIetSKiqU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2020
Tannehill, the 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, had a stellar campaign in his own right last season.
Highest passing grade
1. Russell Wilson – 91.5
2. Drew Brees – 89.2
3. Ryan Tannehill – 87.4
4. Patrick Mahomes – 86.4 pic.twitter.com/MzMLq1G8uv— PFF (@PFF) March 12, 2020
League-wide, he finished first in quarterback rating, first in average yards per completion, third in completion percentage and ninth in QBR.
However, he only played in 12 games and did not attempt nearly the number of passes that the NFL’s top quarterbacks attempted. His 201 completions were 28th in the league and his 286 passing attempts ranked 29th.
Quick comparison Cam and Tannehill in the same draft class one player has been mvp a pro bowl player and went to a Super Bowl but don’t know his job status the other has not won anything until he met Derrick Henry got a new deal man has made more money than Cam only in the NFL
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) March 16, 2020
He is the first reigning rushing champion to be franchise tagged in NFL history, and though he can sign with another team, it would cost that team.
The tag is non-exclusive so Henry can work out a deal with another team but it would cost that team two 1st round picks to sign him. https://t.co/gHErKMEbwc
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 16, 2020
The game is changing, but so is the business of the game.
Henry seems to have gotten caught in the crosshairs.
