This offseason, Derrick Henry—the two-time running champion—is headed to Baltimore.
Henry does concede, though, that it might have been best for him to remain in Dallas rather than Tennessee.
Despite living in Dallas, Henry never received a contact from the Cowboys, which allowed him to sign a two-year contract worth up to $20 million with the Ravens.
Henry recently stated on The Pivot podcast, “I knew once free agency started that I wanted to work something out [with the Ravens] if we could.” “Even though I live in Dallas, which is a great place to be, we are not need to relocate because we were already residents.
On the other hand, the history of the Ravens, their passion for the team, Ray Lewis’s influence there, and his conversational style all came into play while discussing the organization. I thought, “Man, I would really love to be a Raven if I’m not in Tennessee or if I don’t get to go to Dallas.”
Henry is pleased with the way things worked out and is now formally a Raven. However, given that the Cowboys currently have Rico Dowdle, who was just re-signed, as their top back, it’s interesting that they never made a move.
“They ain’t holla at me at all,” Henry said when asked if the Cowboys were in the mix.
Henry would have found it bizarre to be playing with a star adorning his helmet. Even though the setting was perfect, Henry said nothing was ever planned.
It would have been absurd, he remarked. “I had assumed it would be some kind of outreach, conversation, or something else. You understand what I mean when I say that they never reached out? To be honest, I don’t know a lot about their organization. I just know what I’ve been told. My agent and I were speaking. They showed little interest in it. That’s just the way things are. As I already stated, I will be where I am supposed to be, and I believe Baltimore was the ideal location.”
Henry is now trying to become the first Ravens running back to reach the milestone since Mark Ingram in 2019. Henry has over 1,000 yards rushing in five of the previous six seasons. Additionally, he might become the team’s first running back to lead in rushing since Gus Edwards did so in 2018. Since 2019, quarterback Lamar Jackson has led Baltimore on the run every season. Jackson has twice surpassed 1,000 yards rushing. Henry is expected to provide a lot of thunder to go along with Jackson’s lightning-fast release from the backfield.
“I’m happy it went well,” he remarked. Lamar, there’s no doubt about that. Zay Flowers had an incredible year. You’re aware of Mark Andrews’ strengths.
Line of attack is strong. They lost a few players, but they’ll find others in free agency, or they’ll draft players or players they currently have to cover. Next, no.] 42. We showcased Big [Pat (Ricard), who we had on tape. I’m eager to play with him as a result. He is a wild animal.
In addition to the numerous offensive weapons Henry described, he is joining a team that just won the AFC North and made it to the AFC Championship Game, where it was defeated by the Chiefs. Henry might be the missing component needed to complete the Ravens’ Super Bowl puzzle.
Henry has never made it to a Super Bowl despite having a career filled with four Pro Bowls, and Baltimore hasn’t advanced to the big game since the Ravens won the Lombardi Trophy in 2012.
He and his new team are now eager to achieve this goal.
“I’m happy I’m going somewhere that they’re hungry,” stated the man. They’re on the verge of it and are ravenous for it. They are in the conversation at all times. I’m not going anywhere where the assumption is to just “see what happens,” since I know Lamar is really hoping for one. Come on, let’s create some noise and make the playoffs. No. Their goal is to prevail. I can see they’re hungry because they were so close and lost to Kansas City in that game. I’m sure they’ll approach it with the appropriate attitude, so let’s get started. I’m prepared to step in and contribute in any manner I can to help them advance. In whichever manner I can.”
