Once it was announced that the Tennessee Titans had agreed to terms with Derrick Henry on four-year, $50 million extension, Twitter quickly reacted to the huge news.
Henry earns his extension after his best season as a pro that saw him lead the NFL in rushing yards (1,540) and touchdowns (16) before absolutely dominating in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Henry’s historic performance led the Titans all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
While some were a fan of the contract that makes Henry the fifth-highest-paid running back in the NFL in terms of annual average, there were also detractors who criticized the Titans for paying Henry in an age when giving out long-term deals to running backs often fails.
But clearly the Titans aren’t worried about what recent history says about running back contracts and they feel Henry has more than earned his extension, which he has.
With all that said, here’s the best of Twitter’s reaction to the Titans’ deal for Henry.
The #Titans signing Derrick Henry to a long term deal sends the right message to the rest of the team. Do things the right way, keep a team mindset, work hard, produce and you'll be rewarded.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) July 15, 2020
Derrick Henry is coming off of the best season of his career, leading the NFL in rushing and carrying Tennessee deep in the playoffs. The 2021 free agent class and draft are stacked with backs. There is future cap uncertainty. His value is at its apex. A deal now is a major win.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 15, 2020
There's no point in arguing this anymore. The evidence is easy to find. Paying a running back doesn't help your team win in the long run. And I'm a former offensive lineman telling you this. Running backs made my career. But go ahead and tell me this contract is different
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) July 15, 2020
To me that's the big mistake in this one for the #Titans. Paying McCaffrey is way more understandable because he's a dynamic all-around player who can produce in many ways. That's not Henry at all.
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) July 15, 2020
Thrilled that Henry is getting rewarded. I know what the numbers say about running backs and their value on second contracts, but there is something to be said for knowing who you are as a football team and taking care of the guys that perform the way Henry has. Congrats đź‘‘
— Mike Herndon (@MikeMiracles) July 15, 2020
Take THAT people who said it wouldn't happen! Like me! Wait…
LOL we're CELEBRATING THIS NEWS!!! https://t.co/Ysi9P8GY3n
— Titans Film Room (@titansfilmroom) July 15, 2020
Twitter rushing to hate on the Derrick Henry contract likepic.twitter.com/61emZRB3p1
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 15, 2020
Derrick Henry will be 30 years old in four years. The length of his contract lines up perfectly with the age glass ceiling for running backs.
— Two Tone Fanatics (@twotonefanatics) July 15, 2020
FOUR MORE YEARS. #happy pic.twitter.com/JHRrrrLUJ4
— Titans Tape (@TitansTape) July 15, 2020
Good luck to football twitter accounts who spend their days getting mad and making sarcastic comments about running back contracts. https://t.co/NlLhpS2z08
— Cian (@Cianaf) July 15, 2020
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