Having moved on from several starters this offseason, new Titans GM Ran Carthon is now in charge of a roster carrying two contract-year cornerstones. The deals Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry signed back in 2020 expire after this coming season.
Rumblings about the Titans shopping Henry circulated just before free agency, and while the two-time rushing champion remains on Tennessee’s roster, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora notes the team is indeed open to moving him. Tannehill should also be monitored as a trade candidate, La Canfora adds.
[RELATED: Titans Interested In Trading Up For QB]
The Titans have been connected to quarterbacks in this draft for weeks; they hosted Will Levis on Tuesday and will meet with Anthony Richardson. Though, trade-up scenarios also may involve Tannehill staying put and serving as a bridge player ahead of a 2024 separation. The team cutting the cord now would obviously intensify its need at the position and raise the stakes for Carthon’s first draft as a GM. Tannehill is due a $27MM base salary, and his $36.6MM cap number tops the Titans’ payroll by more than $15MM.
Tannehill’s run of health as a Titan came to an end last season; Tennessee’s starter finished the season on IR after ankle surgery. Tannehill’s unavailability was among the Titans’ top issues in 2022. While Tannehill’s 2019 resurgence elevated the Titans and began a stretch of three consecutive playoff berths for the AFC South franchise, the QB’s high paragraph 5 salary and age (35 in July) will not give the Titans a strong trade market. It would also cost the Titans $18.8MM in dead money to trade Tannehill before June 1.
Teams have already made moves to bring in veteran options as well. The Titans, who acquired Tannehill for just fourth- and seventh-round picks back in 2019, can bolster their draft capital by dealing their four-year starter in the next two weeks. The team could also eat some of Tannehill’s salary to prompt a better offer. Absent many logical suitors, however, it would surprise if a major trade package became available — barring an unexpected injury affecting a team’s depth chart. Waiting on an injury would put the Titans in the same place the 49ers resided with Jimmy Garoppolo last year, but as of now, the team does not have another starter-caliber option on the roster. The new Titans regime does not appear too intrigued by Malik Willis, La Canfora adds, given the 2022 third-rounder’s rookie-year struggles.
Even as Henry missed half the 2021 season with a foot fracture, his 6,042 rushing yards since 2019 lead all rushers in that span by nearly 700. The Titans also authorized a raise for their dominant back last year, but the GM who signed off on that — Jon Robinson — was fired months later. Henry is tied to a $10.5MM base salary this season. The eighth-year back rebounded from his foot injury to amass 1,538 rushing yards — two shy of the total he won the 2019 rushing title with — but he logged an NFL-high 349 carries.
Henry, 28, is undoubtedly near the end of his run, and the Titans would be unlikely to obtain too much in a trade. The team did experience issues finding a Henry backup, but D’Onta Foreman ran effectively in the Alabama alum’s absence in 2021. Henry’s unique presence in the modern game aside, the Titans would have a more difficult time replacing Tannehill. Austin Ekeler‘s struggle finding a trade partner also shows what might await the Titans if they were to insist on trading Henry.
Tennessee extracted considerable value from Tannehill’s $29.5MM-per-year deal and Henry’s $12.5MM-AAV pact. Whether the Titans trade up for a quarterback and how they navigate a running back-rich draft will be telling, but for now, their offense still centers around Robinson-era investments.
Never forget they chose an old mediocre QB and a RB over AJ Brown
and took Mel Kipers word on Malik Willis being good
How did they choose those 2 over Brown?
they overpaid both of them and traded Brown because they couldn’t afford him after
With all due respect to Tannehill who’s resurrected himself nicely in Tennessee, nobody is trading anything for him and paying him.
Came here to say this. What a ridiculous notion.
He’ll be kept or cut.
It is clear that the Titans will be purposely tanking in 2023, yet the league doesn’t seem to care.
I don’t so much see them as tanking. They are just on the verge of reaching the end of their run as a contender. It happens.
Not hard to contend in AFC South.
Do you believe, with Tannenhill and Henry, that Tennessee is better than Jacksonville? I guess that’s the question. I don’t. And if you don’t win this division, you’ve got no shot at a wild card with some strong teams in the East and North.
I don’t really think anyone should be upset with Tennessee for taking a step back, they just competed since 2019, their star running back is almost 30 and their previous GM drafted Malik Willis in the 3rd round last year, the league shouldn’t care, the league should be upset with teams like the Texans who have been abysmal for years and honestly do not seem to care about becoming competitive with their madden 73 overall moves the last 3 years
I mean, the Jets could potentially be interested if Rodgers deal falls through.
Tannehill is an upgrade over their current situation, not that he is great…just better than bad.
Honestly at this point if I’m the Jets I at least leak interest in him. Enough of this Rodgers garbage, show GB you have options
GB would know exactly what the Jets are doing. Their only option comparable to Rodgers is Lamar, and GB knows that the only way for the Jets to move on and go get Lamar instead, is to pay a ridiculously high price.
No one would believe the Jets are seriously considering targeting Tannehill, instead, or content with that alternative if the Rodgers deal falls through.
If the Jets end up settling for Tannehill, it’s a disaster for them and everyone knows it. Packers and Jets both need to get this deal done.
I might argue its already heading toward disaster.
The point is, it does give the Jets some leverage and not give in.
It is an also acceptable plan B, and a better option than a guy like Teddy B.
Tannehill is still an immediate upgrade over last year, and the Jets would be better.
Not to mention his contract won’t hamstring the cap for the next few years the way Rodgers’ will
The Jets could possibly move up and draft a QB and kick this Rodgers talk to the curb.
It would be better if they could trade for Rodgers and draft an OL instead, but I would set a precedent with GB that this could happen.
They just failed in developing a quarterback, I doubt they’re anxious to try it again so soon
Exactly! They have a great roster…just not a QB.
They may very well want to draft one, but they need to maximize this window right now.
I can’t see them drafting another quarterback, at least not early. The whole point of pursuing Rodgers is they want a veteran
Good point. They could certainly use some leverage though.
I suppose Tennessee is hoping for a draft day trade, but if this is a new development, this is a bit late in the process to be making this decision.
I can’t imagine why anyone would trade for Tannehill , when Wentz can be signed for very cheap and is at minimum equal talent.
And with Henry, there’s at least 3 starting RBs in thus draft, with guys like Zeke, Fournette and Hunt free agents.
Given a choice between Tannehill and Wentz, I think you easily part with a late round pick for Tannehill. He’s had at least some success in his career, but more importantly it seems as if his teammates like him. I just don’t see Wentz as any type of answer for any QB needy team unless we start talking XFL.
With Henry you make a fair point. I believe he’s more talented than the free agent backs you mentioned, but those guys would only cost money. It’ll be fascinating to watch. I think if he’s dealt it’ll be after the draft.
Not for his current contract you wouldn’t. So either TEN is retaining money for a Day 3 pick or you are extending Tannehill. Neither seem likely.
For 27m? I’d 100% take Tannehill over Wentz. Tannehill is a league average QB, but I don’t think 30m or less is unreasonable for a league average QB in the market.
Who is an average QB away from competing for the Super Bowl though?
Literally the only team that comes to mind are the Jets if they strike out on Rodgers and are desperate.
Most teams that need a starting QB will look to the draft. There are at least 6 guys I would take before paying a player his age, with his injury history $27M (plus giving up a pick!).
I’m not saying he stinks, I just can’t see anyone currently trading a pick for the rights to pay him $27M.
That’s a hard question to answer, but I don’t know that that is specifically the market. I think any team that drafts Richardson needs a 1 yr stopgap at the position. I think a team like that could be in play. I’m not sold on Levis starting on day 1 either.
That doesn’t change the fact that they are likely a rebuilding team though…on paper Tannehill would be a great bridge QB, of course, but to the tune of $27M andddd a draft pick??
There are much cheaper bridge QB options out there, even if they are a tier below Tannehill.
Also of note, TEN could easily be one of the teams in play for Richardson, Levis, Hooker no? So why trade him if he is the ideal bridge QB?
Tennessee isn’t likely to see Richardson or Levis at #11, so I wouldn’t say they’re in play for them unless they move up. I’m not as familiar with Hooker, but I haven’t seen him mocked anywhere in the first. If Tennessee were to take a project QB, it would make sense to hold onto Tannehill as a bridge option then. My argument isn’t that they have to trade him. My argument is they could because I think there will be a market, and they shouldn’t hold onto him because they might have a very slim chance at winning the division.
Wentz is actually pretty good, won an MVP, was solid before injury last year
Wentz didn’t win an MVP (though he should have, they gave it to Brady that year because Wentz missed the last two games), but I agree that he’s better than given credit for. Wentz’s issues are another discussion, though.
I agree with you that a trade seems unlikely right now, which is why I posted my original comment. If someone was going to trade for either of those two, they would have wanted some time to evaluate that and put it into their draft strategy. The only way I can see the logic at this time is if Tennessee tries to use both or one of those players to move in the draft. The issue is two-fold: the teams that are high enough to be in position to offer a chance at the top quarterbacks will not be interested for the most part, and that I don’t think that any of them prospective QBs will be worth that move. Besides, even if that move does happen, what will that new QB be left with in Tennessee? No proven WRs, a lessened O-line, and no Derrick Henry? It just seems forced and unnecessary.
oh ya that’s right. I was thinking he won it that year
and ya plenty of lower ranked QBs in this draft like Levis, Tune, Hooker and Bennett that could in theory give you what you’d get out of Tannehill right now for cheaper
Tennessee is just a disaster right now
If you’re gonna tank, do it right. Take an OL or WR this year. Definitely don’t trade up for a QB. If you tanked right you’ll have a top 2 pick next year to take a QB
If a GM was skilled at drafting he wouldn’t find himself in a position where the “tanking” option would have to be considered. Losing to acquire better drafting position doesn’t accomplish anything if the GM is sub par or the scouting department he relies on is poor.
Everyone is like “they’re tanking”… well some of column A some of column B… and column B is that these guys won’t be extended after this season, so get something for them now versus nothing later.
They are going to draft a Tackle most likely at 11 – either Johnson/Skoronski/Jones/Wright. They likely go defense heavy in this draft, maybe picking up a WR/RB in the mid-late rounds.
This is just another “hot take”. Neither Henry nor Tannehill are going anywhere this year. Titans will draft OL with their 1st pick, or trade back in the 1st round.
That would be the best thing to do. I don’t think either Tannehill or Henry gets you higher in the first round, which is where you’d need to be to replace their production. Tennessee needs linemen inside and outside, a wide receiver (possibly two), and another tight end to either play behind Okwonko or to hedge them against a regression there. And that’s just on offense. Taking a backup running back would be good as well.
There’s just too much to add quarterback and starting running back to the list.
Titans have already stated they are drafting O-line, WR, secondary – which everybody knows they need. If somebody makes the right offer they will move Tanny and/or DH. If not they sit pat for another year to rebuild the above position groups and reduce the cap issues. The only QB they should consider taking in this draft after trading back for picks is Hendon Hooker, who easily proved on the field and in interviews he is ready and far better than AR and Levis.
If youre the chargers look into swapping Henry for Ekeler plus some pick swaps or moving up a round or 2 for titans and chargers moving back a around or 2. Similar to the Jets trading Moore to the Browns. Go get Justin Herbert that run game.
I’m not sure anyone wants Derrick Henry at this point. The wheels have kind of come off the freight train, from overuse. Think Earl Campbell, Barry Sanders. He’s expensive.
The Chargers fit is an interesting one. Henry might be able to lift that offense.