When the Tennessee Titans introduced Brian Callahan as their head coach on Thursday, only one player was mentioned – quarterback Will Levis.

The former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator said he’s looking forward to working with Levis after the QB started nine games for Tennessee as a rookie in 2023.

But during media appearances on Friday, Callahan discussed another member of the Titans backfield – running back Derrick Henry.

Henry is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March if Tennessee does not sign the former Alabama All-American to a contract extension.

“I think a player like Derrick Henry fits in every offense,” Callahan said on WPRT-FM. “He’s been a remarkable player. He’s been the face of the franchise here for a long time. When you think of the Tennessee Titans, you think of Derrick Henry, and he’s earned that.

“If he is open to a return that fits for us, like, I’m never going to say no to good players. I know that he’s been an incredible leader in this building as well, which also carries a lot of weight, and so you can find ways to use every player. There’s no offensive system that would say ‘I don’t like to have Derrick Henry here.’ I certainly think he’s got some gas left in the tank, too, and so we’ll see where that goes. I know he’s going to hit the market probably, and try to see what’s out there for him, but I would never say no to a player like that if they would like to return here and it fits for us.

“I just think he’s such a fantastic person on top of it and he’s meant so much to the city that I would never just dismiss that.”

Henry led the NFL in rushing attempts in four of the past five seasons, and he finished 10th in 2019 even though he missed nine games with a broken foot. He also finished first or second in the NFL in rushing yards four times during that span (placing ninth in 2019) and became the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season in 2020.

Earlier this month, Henry said, “I ain’t done playing.” But he also said he thought the Titans were “going in a different direction,” although Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon said “the door’s never closed” when it came to keeping the running back with the franchise.

Callahan succeeds Mike Vrabel, who was fired on Jan. 9 after compiling a 54-45 record with three playoff appearances in six seasons as Tennessee’s coach.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.