Ex-NFL agent: Mike Evans could be key to Buccaneers striking Derrick Henry trade
With the NFL's trade deadline quickly approaching, the 2-4 Tennessee Titans are emerging as sellers. Dealing All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday indicates the Titans are open for business. Having lost 11 of their past 13 games dating to last season, Tennessee has no player off limits in trade talks, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.
Derrick Henry – the most prominent trade chip on Tennessee's roster – is expected to draw attention from contending teams up to the Tuesday deadline. In particular, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers check most of the boxes as a team that could theoretically make a run at Henry. At 3-3 in an underwhelming NFC South, Tampa Bay has a realistic chance to make a playoff push, but its 29th-ranked rushing attack isn't doing them any favors.
According to former NFL agent Joel Corry, acquiring Henry would take some "salary cap gymnastics" on Tampa Bay's behalf, possibly including a contract restructure for star wide receiver Mike Evans.
"The Buccaneers will need to trade or release players or restructure contracts to acquire Henry," Corry wrote for CBS Sports. "The best restructure candidate is wide receiver Mike Evans because his $23,699,385 cap number is easily the largest on the team."
Tampa Bay failed to get a new deal done with Evans before a self-imposed deadline set by the wideout's representation prior to the start of the season. Evans, 30, is playing out the final year of his contract and set to test free agency in 2024. As noted by Corry, the 2024 through 2026 contract years will automatically be voided from Evans' deal on the final day of the 2023 league year due to prior restructuring of his contract.
Like Evans, Henry is also on an expiring deal and will still be owed $5.8 million of his base salary following Week 8 of the season. Henry's price tag has potential suitors cautious to swing a deal for the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
"When I've brought up his name to executives, they've all brought up the salary," Dan Graziano of ESPN reported Wednesday. "Even $5 million for a half-season rental feels like a lot to teams in the current running back market."
Ideally, Tennessee would take on some of Henry's salary, allowing the Bucs to be more flexible in their pursuit. Tampa Bay has $4.5 million in available cap space, per Spotrac. Regardless, the Bucs would be wise to pounce at the opportunity to add Henry to their backfield.
Starter Rachaad White is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry this season, surpassing 56 yards rushing in a game once. He has scored one touchdown. Henry has topped 96 yards rushing in two of his past three games and his 81 rushing touchdowns are the most in the NFL since 2016.
More must-reads: