Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry hit paydirt Wednesday.
The NFL’s leading rusher in 2019 signed a four-year, $50 deal with $25.5 million guaranteed, which replaces the one-year franchise tender Henry would have played on had a new contract not been reached. That deal was worth $10.3 million for the 2020 season.
Tennessee entered the offseason in a tight salary cap situation due to the emergence of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill replaced former No. 2 pick Marcus Mariota as the starter in Tennessee and cashed in with a $118 million contract, including $62 million in guarantees.
That left the Titans with little in the coffers for Henry as one of the NFL’s other premier backs, Carolina Panthers All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, signed a four-year, $64 million deal.
Henry, 26, led the league with 1,540 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns last season, while adding 446 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the playoffs. He also chipped in 18 catches for 206 yards and two scores in the regular season.
A second-round pick in 2016, Henry has 3,833 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns in 62 career games, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2019.
–Field Level Media