Titans to sign Henry to 4-year, $50M deal
The Titans have made sure that the NFL rushing leader is sticking around for a few more years.
The Titans announced Wednesday they had agreed on a “multiyear extension” with Derrick Henry just before the NFL deadline for a long-term deal to avoid the running back having to play this season under the franchise tag.
Henry reportedly received a four-year deal for $50 million with $25.5 million guaranteed, ESPN reported.
The Titans faced a deadline of 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday to sign Henry to an extension or let him play this season for the $10.2 million due under the franchise tag he signed April 2. They could have tagged him again for 2021 for 120 percent of his pay this season.
The Titans already signed QB Ryan Tannehill to a four-year deal worth $118 million in March before free agency started.
The Titans know all too well Henry’s value.
He led the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing last season with 303 carries — both career highs. He ran 83 more times in the postseason. He also became the first player in NFL history to run for at least 180 yards in three consecutive games, a streak started in the regular-season finale, running the Titans to their first AFC championship game in 17 years.
Also Wednesday, the Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott reached the deadline without agreeing to a long-term deal. Prescott will play the 2020 season on the franchise tag, worth a guaranteed $31.4 million.
Prescott in March turned down a fiveyear deal worth more than $34 million annually that included $110 million in guaranteed money. He wants a four-year deal and more guaranteed money.