As juicy because it sounds, the Philadelphia Eagles are usually not buying and selling for Tennessee Titans operating again Derrick Henry.

Simply days previous to the 2023 NFL Draft, a report from former participant and present ‘The Discuss” host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila signifies that the Titans operating again is heading to the Eagles.

The previous NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months is owed a $10.5 million wage for the 2023 season, the ultimate 12 months of his deal. Whereas there had been rumblings earlier within the offseason that Henry could possibly be on the transfer, that chatter has since been shut down.

The truth is, shortly after Gbaja-Biamila’s tweet, Fox Sports activities NFL insider Jay Glazer shut down the concept the Eagles are making a transfer for the star operating again.

The truth that Henry is coming into the final 12 months of his deal on a Titans crew that seems to be in rebuild mode has led to hypothesis that he’s performed his final sport with Tennessee.

The concept of Henry — arguably the NFL’s finest pure operating again — becoming a member of a run-heavy Eagles offense led by Jalen Hurts is a match made in heaven. If Philadelphia have been to drag off such a transfer, they’d simply be the Tremendous Bowl favorites and would have an unstoppable offensive unit additionally flanked by playmakers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert.

It’s simply not prone to occur.

For one, the Eagles have already got a operating again room not missing in depth in Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott. Penny is the projected starter, having been a shiny spot on the Seattle Seahawks whereas wholesome. The previous first-round draft choose has averaged 5.7 yards per over the course of his profession, which might really lead all energetic runners if he certified for the minimal requirement (750 rush makes an attempt).

Nevertheless, that’s the issue — he’s been largely unhealthy over the course of his profession. Penny is coming off of a damaged fibula harm that restricted him to simply 5 video games final season. Not solely has Penny by no means performed a full season, he hasn’t appeared in additional than 10 video games in a single season since 2018.

The Eagles hope to maintain Penny wholesome by seemingly having him break up carries with Gainwell. Gainwell was a significant purpose why Philadelphia felt snug permitting former beginning again Miles Sanders to stroll in free company. The truth is, Gainwell ran for 112 yards within the Eagles’ divisional spherical playoff win over the New York Giants and he really out-rushed Sanders through the postseason, dashing for 181 yards compared to the latter’s 148 dashing yards.

If there any’s doubt in relying upon a Penny-Gainwell duo to steer Philadelphia’s high-powered offensive assault, there’s a easy and cost-effective resolution — draft a operating again, such because the College of Texas’ Bijan Robinson within the first spherical. The truth is, Robinson not too long ago revealed that the Eagles are considered one of simply two groups that he’s had an in-person go to with.

The Eagles maintain two first-round picks — one at No. 10 and the opposite at No. 30 — and they need to be capable of land Robinson with a type of picks.

In different phrases, it makes little sense to sacrifice draft capital and wage cap house to accumulate a one-year rental in Henry.

Henry is because of be the NFL’s second-highest paid operating again this season. The contract is definitely justified, contemplating Henry has led the NFL in dashing yards and dashing touchdowns twice every. Nevertheless, the truth that he’s nearing age 30 and that he’s in a decline ought to make Philadelphia assume twice about buying and selling for him.

Through the 2019-2020 seasons, Henry averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Over the previous two seasons, he’s averaged simply 4.4 yards per carry. During the last 4 seasons, Henry has totaled 1,337 touches — 334 per season — regardless of lacking 9 video games through the 2021 season. That’s an enormous variety of 24.3 touches per sport throughout that span.

When one components in that the Eagles may draft Robinson at No. 10 and pay him $4 million for this season or choose him at No. 30 and pay him a shade underneath $2.3 million for this 12 months, it makes little sense to accumulate Henry at practically $11 million for this 12 months.

The storyline of Henry becoming a member of the Eagles would undoubtedly be one of many largest matters heading into the 2023 season. Nevertheless, it simply isn’t a really seemingly one contemplating Philadelphia’s choices.