Titans coach Callahan open to Derrick Henry return in 2024
New Tennesse Titans head coach Brian Callahan is leaving the door open for a potential Derrick Henry return ahead of the 2024 offseason.
"I think a player like Derrick Henry fits in every offense," Callahan said on 102.5 & 106.3 The Game. "He's been a remarkable player; he's been the face of the franchise here for a long time. When you think of the Tennessee Titans, you think of Derrick Henry. He's earned that.
"Look, if he is open to a return that fits for us, I'm never going to say no to good players. I know that he's been an incredible leader in this building as well, which also carries a lot of weight. You can find ways to use every player. There's no offensive system that would say, 'I don't like to have Derrick Henry here.'"
The four-time Pro Bowl tailback is expected to test free agency this offseason as his contract expires in March. The 30-year-old - who's the Titans' all-time leader in rushing touchdowns - seemingly bid farewell to Tennessee fans at the end of the 2023 regular season following his potential last game with the team.
Henry topped the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. He became only the eighth player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single campaign in 2020 en route to being named Offensive Player of the Year that season.
Though Henry has led the NFL in rushing attempts in each of the last two seasons, his production has dropped. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2023 - tying a career low - while recording 68.6 rushing yards per game, his worst mark since 2018.
Callahan said he still believes Henry can produce at a high level, though.
"I certainly think he's got some gas left in the tank, too," added Callahan, who was announced as the Titans' new head coach this week to replace Mike Vrabel after five seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator.
"We'll see how that goes. I know he's gonna hit the market, probably, and try to see what's out there for him, but I would never say no to a player like that."
No player has amassed more yards and touchdowns on the ground than Henry since he entered the NFL in 2016. The former second-round pick out of Alabama has rushed for 9,502 yards and 90 TDs in 119 games across eight seasons as a member of the Titans.
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