Titans' Derrick Henry speaks publicly after trade rumors

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry somewhat addressed his standing with the organization following conversations with general manager Ran Carthon.

"Talking to him, meeting him in person. I've put a face with the name," Henry said Tuesday about his relationship with Carthon, per Turron Davenport. "Just doing all of those things. When we get to football, we're not worried about that other stuff."

Henry added during his first public comments of the offseason that he's not concerned about the trade rumors that have hovered over his status throughout 2023. 

The Titans finished the 2022 season with a 7-10 record and then turned to Carthon for what could eventually become a significant rebuild. Carthon initially admitted in January he was "evaluating the roster" as it pertained to big-name players such as Henry and veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill. 

As shared by Kevin Patra of the NFL's website, though, Carthon said in March that reports claiming he had actively shopped Henry were "erroneous." Patra later pointed out that Carthon insisted before the draft he hadn't received trade calls regarding the two-time rushing champion. 

Carthon and his front office selected signal-caller Will Levis early in the second round of this year's draft and could push for the rookie to replace Tannehill in October if the Titans have a losing record when they enter the Week 7 bye. Tennessee could also save $27M against the salary cap by moving on from Tannehill this summer. 

As for Henry, he is due $10.5M for 2023 and has two inexpensive voidable years attached to a contract that the Titans appear unlikely to extend considering the fact the bruising ball-carrier turns 30 years old in January. For now, Henry simply wants to be ready to impress playing under new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly when Tennessee opens the season at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 10. 

"It's a completely new offense, so I just came in here trying to learn everything," Henry explained about participating in voluntary organized team activities. "I tried to get in here as early as I can to learn and fly around."

Individuals such as Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper have suggested Henry would already have a new NFL home had Carthon received a decent trade offer before the draft. Would-be contenders in need of offensive help should begin calling Tennessee about Henry's availability as soon as October, but there's little the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year can do about that ahead of training camp.