Derrick Henry enters his seventh professional season as the engine to push the Tennessee Titans.
He missed games last year because of a foot injury, but Henry remained in the top 10 among running backs for carries (219), rushing yards (937), and rushing touchdowns (10). He posted five 100+ yard performances and is a two-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL rushing yards leader, two NFL rushing touchdowns leader, and two-time NFL rushing champion. Henry won first-team All-Pro honors and NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2020, becoming the eighth 2,000+ yard rusher (2,027) in league history.
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The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder is ready for a bounce-back year.
The Titans chose to honor him Thursday by giving him a $2 million raise, pushing his 2022 pay to $14 million.
From NFL Now: The #Titans reward their star, as RB Derrick Henry gets a $2M raise for 2022. pic.twitter.com/aJItFgVeu5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2022
Sources: The #Titans have reworked All-Pro RB Derrick Henry’s contract to give him a $2M raise in 2022. Henry will now earn $14M this season — the most of any RB. 2023 remains the final year of Henry’s contract. pic.twitter.com/Wt7wEQH3SO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 1, 2022
Henry will be the highest-paid back in the fall, but this was not a contract extension. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said Tennessee took money for next year and gave it to Henry. The final year of his contract is 2023, but Henry could score a hefty payday next offseason with a dominant showing. Crimson Tide fans look forward to seeing the 2015 Heisman winner run wild.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
