CLEVELAND — In the days leading up to the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs last weekend, NBC's Mike Tirico struck up a conversation with Derrick Henry.
"How's the best running back on the planet?" Tirico asked.
Henry replied with a take worthy of a sports television debate.
"No," Tirico recalled the Titans star running back replying while sharing the conversation during the game's broadcast. "That's Nick Chubb."
While analytics are thought to have devalued the importance of the position, one could argue that it's a golden age for the position when it comes to talent. And at the top of any list are likely Henry and Chubb, who currently rank first and second in rushing yards, respectively, through the first nine weeks of the 2022 NFL season.
A two-time rushing champ and touchdowns leader, the 28-year-old Henry ranks third among active running backs in career rushing yards (7,667) trailing only Mark Ingram (8,074) and Ezekiel Elliott (7,829). One of eight running backs in NFL history to have rushed for 2,000 yards in a single season, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner has totaled a league-best 870 rushing yards on 183 carries through Tennessee's first eight games this season.
As for Chubb, the Georgia product currently ranks sixth among active running backs in career rushing yards. Through Cleveland's first eight games, the three-time Pro Bowl selection has rushed for 841 yards and a league-high 10 touchdowns on 149 attempts.
All of this without either the Browns or the Titans laying claim to consistent passing attacks.
Asked about Henry's praise on Wednesday, Chubb returned the favor. He also added another running back to the conversation: New York Giants star Saquon Barkley, who ranks third with 779 rushing yards this season.
"I feel the same about him and Saquon," Chubb told reporters. "We're all great running backs."