The Green Bay Packers are not known for really signing hot-name free agents and one of the top free agents on the market this offseason is running back Derrick Henry. Henry has played his entire NFL career with the Tennessee Titans and it appears as if he isn’t going to return to Nashville, Tennessee next season.
A lot of teams are going to pursue him in free agency. Henry last season rushed for 1,167 yards on 280 carries and 12 touchdowns and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. He also caught 28 passes for 214 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 7.6 yards per reception.
When healthy, Derrick Henry is one of the best running backs in the league. It is a rare opportunity that a running back this elite is a free agent. He is 30 years old and if the Green Bay Packers offense wants to reach another level with quarterback Jordan Love. this is the way to go.
General manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur know this time can reach another level with him. AJ Dillon is set to hit the free agent market and they most likely won’t re-sign him. Aaron Jones is entering the final year of his contract.
Green Bay will also own 11 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. They may take a running back or two in the NFL Draft anyway. The running back rooms need to be revamped in 2024 like they did with the wide receiver room and the tight end room a season ago.
Sayre Bedinger of lombardiave.com Believes that the Green Bay Packers Need to Target Derrick Henry in NFL Free Agency
Sayre Bedinger of lombardiave,com thinks that there are seven players that the Packers should target in NFL free agency this offseason. The top name on the list is running back Derrick Henry.
Some of his reasoning for the Green Bay Packers potentially signing him this offseason is as follows:
“I think one of the free agents you would have to consider for the Packers as a realistic target is veteran running back Derrick Henry. You can always supplement the running back position in the NFL Draft as well, but it’s not often you get the chance to add a guy like this to your roster. The Packers will have to determine the next steps with someone like Aaron Jones as well, a player who is set to account for over $17.5 million of the salary cap this offseason. But what makes Henry a realistic option for the Packers is first and foremost his connection with head coach Matt LaFleur. Remember, LaFleur got his job as the head coach of the Packers after he spent a year with the Tennessee Titans as their offensive coordinator. He and Derrick Henry are very familiar with each other.”
If the Packers were to sign Henry, would they trade Aaron Jones to a different team or would they just release him? The odds are they would probably keep both for at least this season. A possible thought of Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones in the backfield for the Green Bay Packers offense is down right scary also.