With the NFL Draft just days away, some rumors are surfacing about superstar running back Derrick Henry joining a new team. According to Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, a former NFL defensive end and current co-host of The Talk on CBS, the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a trade for the three-time Pro Bowl running back.
BREAKING: Move out the way, Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) is headed to The @Eagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/RQCfURvmn8
— Akbar Gbajabiamila (@Akbar_Gbaja) April 22, 2023
Now, it should be noted that, as of this posting, Gbaja-Biamila is the only person claiming this deal is done. National reporters like Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter have yet to mention this trade, and neither team has formally announced the trade. So, instead of acting like this is breaking news, let’s dissect this rumor, see if it makes sense for either side, and theoretically see how Derrick Henry would fit the Philadelphia Eagles offense.
Can We Trust the Derrick Henry Trade Rumors?
The Rumor Itself
As mentioned earlier, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila is not exactly a world-renowned leaker, but there is reason to believe that he could have NFL connections. For one, Gbaja-Biamila’s history in the league dates back to 2003, so it stands to reason that he could still have connections from his playing days. Said communication lines could have been made stronger due to his current job as a member of the media with CBS. Basically, Gbaja-Biamila’s report alone shouldn’t be enough to confirm a Derrick Henry trade, but it’s highly unlikely he’s making it up out of thin air.
For what it’s worth, the rest of the NFL community isn’t so sure about the Derrick Henry trade rumors. NFL insider Benjamin Allbright tweeted that some inquiries have taken place, but nothing is imminent. Paul Kuharsky, meanwhile, went so far as to say that the Titans have not even reached out to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Based on these reports and rumors, we can piece together that the Titans have likely reached out to a few organizations regarding a Derrick Henry trade, but that nothing is imminent at this time. Of course, that can all change during the 2023 NFL Draft, so let’s see if a trade between these two teams would make sense.
Does The Derrick Henry Trade Rumor Make Sense?
From the outside looking in, it’s easy to see why Akbar Gbaja-Biamila believes that the Eagles would have interest in trading for Derrick Henry. Coming fresh off a Super Bowl appearance, this team boasts one of the best rosters in football, but their primary weakness is at running back. Rashaad Penny is a good player when healthy, but the former first-round pick has not had the best luck staying on the field during his five-year career.
If Penny goes down, the Eagles would have no choice but to trust Kenneth Gainwell as their lead running back. While Gainwell has played well in small samples, Philadelphia would probably like a more proven option handling backfield duties. Derrick Henry is clearly a more proven and more talented rusher, and his physical style of running combined with Philadelphia’s elite offensive line and Jalen Hurts’ rushing threat would create the most unstoppable rushing attack in the league.
Additionally, from Tennessee’s perspective, it’s easy to see why rumors indicate that they want to trade Derrick Henry. After making the playoffs in three straight years, it’s clear that their championship window is closed. The team missed the postseason in 2022, and it’s hard to imagine them getting back with an aging Ryan Tannehill, no proven offensive weapons, and the worst offensive line in football.
Derrick Henry is on the older side, and he only has one or two years left in his prime. The Titans and Henry will not be good at the same time, so the team might as well trade the star running back to maximize their assets.
