Tennessee Titans RB Tyjae Spears wants Derrick Henry to return, continue their partnership
Tyjae Spears didn't mind sharing the Tennessee Titans backfield with Derrick Henry this season and hopes the franchise's second all-time leading rusher returns in 2024.
Henry, who has 9,502 career rushing yards and is Nashville's most iconic active sports figure, will be a free agent this offseason with his four-year, $50 million contract ending.
Spears, who said Henry helped him through his rookie season, would like to continue the tandem they established.
"It was crazy the first time I met (Henry). He was like, 'What up Tyjae?' like he had been knowing me," Spears said. "I feel like we've got a great relationship. He's a great guy and honestly I really want him to come back."
Henry rushed for 1,167 yards on 280 carries and scored 12 touchdowns. Spears rushed for 453 yards on 100 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. He also had 52 receptions for 385 yards and a touchdown.
The Titans were 17th in the NFL in rushing yards (1,846).
When asked what was the most important lesson he learned from Henry, Spears said: "That details matter. He is very detail-oriented. Everybody plays off of instinct but if you take care of that little small detail, that can separate you from the guy that you're going against."
Henry's influence, he said, has inspired him to pay it forward when he has the opportunity to help a newcomer become acclimated to the NFL.
"He was a true brother and he taught me how to be the person I need to be for a person coming in," Spears said. "In a few years from now when there's a rookie coming in, (Henry) taught me how to treat him. I'm going to treat him like he did me."
Quarterback Will Levis also said Henry helped him through his first NFL season in which he became the starter after Ryan Tannehill suffered an ankle injury.
"It’s incredible; I have to remind myself I’m handing the ball off to a Hall of Famer sometimes," Levis said. "It’s pretty cool as a rookie to be slinging it around to a Hall of Famer (in DeAndre Hopkins) and handing it off to a Hall of Famer. He’s an excellent teammate.
"He’s a guy who instilled his trust in me from the second that I took the field. I’m just blessed to have him as a teammate and hopefully he’ll stick around."
Henry gave no indication about his plans. He addressed fans at Nissan Stadium after Sunday's win, thanking them for what he called the greatest eight years of his life and the support they provided during his ups and downs.
Henry rushed for 153 yards and scored a touchdown in the season finale. It was his best rushing performance of the season.
"I don't know what's going to happen with Derrick but if it was his last game at Nissan Stadium in a Titan jersey ... the way he ran the ball, the game that he had and just the win, that is sending a guy out the right way," defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said. "If he's not going to be here, I wish him the best."
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans' Tyjae Spears wants Derrick Henry back as partner
