Imagine the following: Jalen Hurts at quarterback, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as wide receivers, and Dallas Goedert as tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. and Derrick Henry, an All-Pro running back, in the backfield.
For the first time in his eight-year career, Henry will be available to free agency. The Eagles will likely need to find a new starting running back because D’Andre Swift is most likely leaving.
Whether by coincidence or not, the Baltimore Ravens (+350) and the Eagles (+350) are matched for the best odds to sign Henry this offseason. Additionally, Philadelphia makes perfect sense as a landing location given the veteran running back’s recent remarks.
Henry has expressed his desire to play for a competitive team the next season.
Henry declared in January on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, “At the end of the day, I want to win the Super Bowl.” “I want to go wherever it is that offers me the finest opportunity. I have no ill will or feelings of guilt if I don’t return. It’s simply what was meant to occur. We are all merely living out a pre-written story.
The Eagles don’t have any running backs under contract in 2024 aside from Kenneth Gainwell. This offseason, adding players at the position is on the agenda, and Henry is a formidable talent.During Henry’s eight seasons with the organization, Tennessee advanced to the postseason four times (in 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021). The AFC Championship, which the Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, was the furthest they had ever been.
Six of the previous seven seasons have seen Philadelphia make it to the playoffs, including a trip to the Super Bowl after the 2022 season. Henry would be able to participate in the postseason for the next few seasons if he signed with the Eagles.
What sort of agreement is Henry perhaps seeking?
Like a number of other teams, the Eagles have not always paid running backs exorbitant salaries. But rather of going bankrupt, Henry wants to win a Super Bowl. Henry and the Titans agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract deal in 2020, but he won’t be asking for or demanding nearly as much this time.
The seasoned RB is expected to ink a $20 million two-year deal with PFF ($10 million per season, $13 million guaranteed). While Spotrac values him significantly lower at $4.4 million per season, Over the Cap projects him to sign for slightly less than $10 million.
Henry is not going to rush for 2,000+ yards like he did in 2020, but he has never averaged less than 4.2 yards per carry. This includes the season before, when he led the NFL in rushing attempts (280), finishing with 1,167 yards (4.2 yards per rush) and 12 touchdowns. Henry is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time All-Pro.
Henry, who turned 30 in January, is still a workhorse who can carry multiple defenders with him at any given time. Over the past five years, he has led the league in carries. In the event that the league chooses to approve the “Brotherly Shove,” he would be a fantastic addition to the already potent Philly offense and provide Hurts and company with an additional option.
