Tennessee Titans General Manager Ran Carthon wants to set the record straight: The team is not trying to trade star running back Derrick Henry this offseason.
“There’s nothing new to report,” Carthon told ESPN at the NFL league meeting in Phoenix. “There was an erroneous report that came out. I’ve spoken to Todd (France), Derrick’s representative, and we’re in a good place. So, there’s nothing new to report from there.”
A report surfaced in early March that during the NFL Scouting Combine, the Titans talked to other teams about trading their franchise running back.
CBS Sports reporter Jonathan Jones refuted that report. Now Carthon has made it official.
#Titans GM Ran Carthon said both the team and Derrick Henry are in a good place when asked about the relationship after they were reportedly shopping him. pic.twitter.com/aBFBAuku9a
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 28, 2023
Although no player is sacred in today’s NFL, the thought of the Titans trading their star seemed baffling. He’s led the NFL in rushing twice and rushed for 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
There are always concerns about the high mileage catching up to the 29-year-old Henry soon, given he’s led the NFL in carries three of the past four seasons. Yet he’s still playing at a high level (4.4 yards per carry) and he’s a fan favorite in Nashville.
Carthon said Henry is going through his typical grueling offseason work.
“I know Derrick trains like crazy in the location where he trains — I know the location, I don’t want to put it out there — but Derrick is going to be Derrick,” Carthon said (via ESPN). “He’s going to take his time away and do what he has to do to make sure that he’s ready to go. So, feel we’re in a good place.”
The NFL world responded to Carthon’s comments with tweets from one extreme (trade him) to the other (the Titans would be crazy to trade him).
Derrick Henry showing zero interest in aging whatsoever 👑 #Titans pic.twitter.com/PzeA8BjrC5
— Sal From Jerrrssseeeyyy (@salmanfredi) March 29, 2023
I love King Henry, but the shelf life for an NFL running back is drawing near, Depending on what the offer is, and the fact this is a strong RB draft class, it might be time to move on! Guessing maybe a 3rd????
— FootballFaann 🏈🏈 (@DavidBetlach) March 28, 2023
That’s a really tough question to answer, considering the reports are true.
— Jonathan M (@EsportsValen) March 28, 2023
Where’s all the titan fans that were asking to trade him so I can troll them for the rest of the year
— JJ (Titans) (@JJ12853208) March 29, 2023
He’s going to age like Adrian Peterson with his work ethic. Dude hits it harder than anyone.
— Doug Veatch (@Harahduh2) March 29, 2023
That’s great as a Tennessee Titans fan I know that we would hate to lose a great running back like Derrick Henry
— Michael (@Michael21218772) March 29, 2023
[ESPN]
