The Tennessee Titans Wasted Derrick Henry’s Prime
The Tennessee Titans drafted RB Derrick Henry with the 45th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. After serving as the backup to 2014 Rushing Champion Demarco Murray for two seasons, the Titans finally let Derrick Henry eat, and the decision has turned out to be one of the best in franchise history. King Henry has established himself as one of the greatest running backs of his era and continues to shatter countless records set by Hall of Fame running backs before him. Derrick will find himself in Canton one day, but unfortunately, he will enter the Hall of Fame without a single Super Bowl appearance...
The Titans squandered the opportunity to win a Super Bowl with Derrick Henry, and it's a damn shame. The Titans do something inexplicable and mindless every year to cost themselves a shot at a title. That could be from the front office, Mike Vrabel and coaches, or Henry's teammates. A prominent example was the 2021 and 2022 playoffs, where the Titans were one-and-done in both years. In 2021, Mike Vrabel and Arthur Smith are to blame for the Titans Wild Card loss to the Ravens. Vrabel and Smith had no answer for the Ravens' game plan to stop the Titans’ prolific offense and basically ran the same ineffective plays the entire afternoon. The duo left Henry out to dry, and it resulted in Tennessee’s Offense being lethargic. Then, in 2022, we all know what Ryan Tannehill did in the Divisional Road against the Bengals. Henry didn't play magnificently in either of these games, as he had just 45 yards against the Ravens in 2021. But he shouldn’t be asked to do everything when Tennessee is in a key spot in the postseason, he needs help from his supporting cast. Mike Vrabel and Ryan Tannehill failed Derrick Henry and the entire Titans' organization during those two playoff runs, and for some reason, it's been brushed under the rug. Now, we have to discuss former GM Jon Robinson's move during the 2022 Draft that puts the nail in the coffin for this argument...
Jon Robinson failed Derrick Henry and the Titans when he decided to trade away AJ Brown on draft night during the 2022 Draft. This trade officially closed the Titans' Super Bowl Window with Henry and cost Tennessee a chance to compete for a Super Bowl for years to come. King Henry poured his heart and soul into this organization, and they have seldom repaid him. The story of Derrick Henry's career in Nashville is trading away his supporting cast, being complacent with just winning a weak division, and wasting his best seasons by finding new ways to choke in the playoffs. Despite all this, Derrick was still able to provide timeless memories that many fans will cherish for an eternity. His 2019 playoff run still doesn't get the recognition that it deserves! Now, his final prime years will rot away on a mediocre team...
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