The Green Bay Packers’ rival, the Minnesota Vikings, could be making a play for Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry come the October 31 NFL trade deadline. Minnesota does not have a very good running back room. The Vikings were able to hold off the Chicago Bears 19-13 on Sunday and improved to 2-4 on the season.
Speaking of 2-4 teams, the Tennessee Titans are 2-4 on the season and in last place in the AFC South. Tennessee can very well trade Derrick Henry within the next two weeks as Tennessee enters a potential rebuild. Henry is 29 years old and may not be in the long-term plans of the franchise. They have a rookie running back in Tyjae Spears, who is ready to take the load of the carries.
Derrick Henry, so far this season, has rushed for 425 yards on 98 carries and three touchdowns for the Tennessee Titans. He is averaging 4.3 yards per carry and has also caught 11 passes for 117 yards receiving and zero touchdowns. Henry is averaging 10.6 yards per reception.
An opinion of one former NFL executive, he told Kenneth Teape of nflanalysis.net saying:
“If (Derrick) Henry becomes available, the Vikings should be aggressive. This team isn’t bad, they are more than capable of bouncing back and being an NFC contender. Adding Henry could be what gets them over the hump.”
The Minnesota Vikings traded for Cam Akers, a running back from the Los Angeles Rams, earlier in the season, and he hasn’t played much. Henry would be a massive upgrade to this offense if Minnesota acquired the superstar running back via trade.
Green Bay Packers Could Also Get Derrick Henry Via Trade, but the Rivals Minnesota Vikings Need Him More
Green Bay could also make a push for Derrick Henry if they wanted to, but when Aaron Jones is healthy, there is no need to have Henry in the backfield. A bigger issue for the Packers running back room is the depth of the position. AJ Dillon has been rumored in trade talks, and there are questions as to whether or not he will still be with the Packers come October 31.
Dillon will be a pending free agent at the end of the season. Even with the Vikings potentially not making the playoffs this season, they need Derrick Henry in the worst way. Their running game has not been effective all season long. Alexander Mattison has not been what Minnesota hoped for.
Henry going to the Minnesota Vikings would make sense for him because he would be the lead back in the offense. However, does it make sense for the Vikings because they may not make the playoffs this season, but it might be for a move in 2024? Quarterback Kirk Cousins will be a free agent after this season and will most likely not be a part of their future at 34 years old.
However, why not give the Green Bay Packers rival potential new quarterback a plethora of offensive weapons like Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson to start with? That would be good for them and head coach Kevin O’Connell but trouble for the Green Bay Packers.
