Derrick Henry is pondering what comes next.
The star running back’s Titans were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, and Henry, set to be a free agent at season’s end, wondered if it was the end of his time in Tennessee after the 19-16 loss to the Texans.
“Definitely today you had that feeling,” Henry told reporters. “We had a hope of kind of slipping in there. and then being eliminated, knowing its three games left. I’ve been here my whole career. I definitely want to go out strong, which isn’t the case. Just trying to give it my all these last three games and leave it all on the field.”
Henry, who was drafted by the Titans in 2016, has struggled in his eighth NFL season, averaging a career low 3.8 yards per carry for 884 yards on 230 rushing attempts.
Sunday marked one of the worst outings of the 29-year-old’s pro career, posting just 16 yards on nine carries, adding a yard on four receptions.
“I put a lot on myself. I feel like I could be better and do a lot of things better,” Henry said. “But at the end of the day, this is what it is. I’m always going continue to work hard and work to continue to improve. Never going point the finger and never going to blame anybody else.
“If anything, I’m gonna criticize myself first if I do, not anybody else, and that’s just what it is this year.”
Henry is nearing the end of a four-year $50 million contract he signed in 2020, and with the Titans in transition — quarterback Ryan Tannehill is likely at the end of his stretch with the team — his time in Tennessee may be over in a matter of weeks.
Still, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound battering ram was able to punch in 10 touchdowns this season, reaching double-digit rushing scores for the sixth straight season, still has something to offer.
With the Seahawks, Texans and Jaguars on tap for the final weeks of the regular season, Henry will be auditioning for his next NFL deal — wherever it may come from.
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