The Eagles have widely been expected to add a running back before the start of the 2023 NFL season. Could they be adding one of the league's best?
Former NFL EDGE Akbar Gbaja-Biamila asserted in a tweet early Saturday that the Titans not only were dealing Derrick Henry to the Eagles, but also that a trade for the three-time Pro Bowl running back was done. Gbaja-Biamila and Henry are represented by the same agent.
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
That would obviously be a major acquisition for the Eagles. The only problem? It doesn't appear that it's happening, based on subsequent reporting.
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Derrick Henry trade rumors
ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio reported Saturday that a source with knowledge of the situation told him that a trade will not be happening.
Adding Henry to an offense that already features Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert to go with one of the league's most dominant lines would make Philadelphia an even more feared team coming off a Super Bowl appearance. Henry led the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in both 2019 and 2020, and he recorded his third 1,500-yard season in 2022.
But there are plenty of reasons why a move of Henry to the Eagles would be unlikely. As Florio noted, Henry is owed a $10.5 million salary in 2023 and is likely looking for a new extension as he heads into the final season of his contract.
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That salary — and a possible extension — would be a hefty price for a team that just signed Hurts to a record five-year, $255 million extension and already had Brown on a four-year, $100 million deal. According to Spotrac, the Eagles have the cap space to eat Henry's current salary ($19.9 million), but an extension could be a lot, particularly with Smith likely looking for a new deal next summer.
Brown, for his part, wanted the Eagles to make the move.
Nobody has #22. Make it happen if it’s possible 💪🏾
— AJ Brown (@1kalwaysopen_) April 22, 2023
There's also the fact that while Henry is worth every dollar, teams with expensive running backs do not often win titles. No team over the past 14 seasons has won a Super Bowl with a leading rusher salary over $2.5 million, according to Marcus Mosher. Not to mention, Henry isn't getting any younger as he heads into his Age 29 season.
Take a look at the leading rusher from the last 14 Super Bowls and their base salary: pic.twitter.com/sBC97Upzh0
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 13, 2023
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Eagles RB depth chart
The Eagles lost 1,269-yard rusher Miles Sanders to free agency in the offseason. Kenneth Gainwell, who rushed for 240 yards in 2022, has the most rushing yards of any returning running back. Rashaad Penny, who had 346 rushing yards in five games last year for the Seahawks, is shaping up to be the team's top running back if no other moves are made.
Henry would be a fun name to add to an already dynamic offense. But there are plenty of reasons why the Eagles should look to the draft or another veteran option to replace Sanders in the backfield.
