Derrick Henry claims that although it would have been a “perfect situation,” the Cowboys “never reached out.”
This summer, Derrick Henry got a contract with the Baltimore Ravens, but he recently talked about other teams he would have like to sign.
Jerry Jones did not give Derrick Henry a call, despite his desire for an opportunity to play for the Cowboys.
After Ezekiel Elliott’s huge deal, the Cowboys decided to go with youth instead of big contracts for running backs.
Henry has a new chance in Baltimore since he is now supported by a formidable squad.
After Derrick Henry’s remarks on the podcast “The Pivot,” Dallas Cowboys supporters have even more cause for ire.
The two-time rushing champion, who also happens to live in Dallas, called the American team “a perfect situation.” Regretfully, King Henry continued, “They ain’t holla at me at all.”
That would have been absurd. I had assumed it would have been a chat of some kind, a reach-out. You understand what I mean when I say that Dallas never made an effort? 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.
The Cowboys are content to wait out free agency when it comes to running back (and a lot of other positions) after Tony Pollard joined the Tennessee Titans to fill the vacuum left by Henry. Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, and Deuce Vaughn are listed on the depth chart, while Rico Dowdle was re-signed.
But while Henry goes on rampaging with the Baltimore Ravens and their top running offense, a lot of fans will be asking themselves “what if.”
Though Henry couldn’t help but consider other options, he is pleased that his free agency concluded with a two-year contract in Baltimore worth up to $20 million. He added that he was persuaded to sign in the Queen City by one specific Ravens legend:
As soon as free agency opened, I was determined to try to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the Ravens. Despite the fact that I live in Dallas, which is a great place to be, we are not required to move because we are 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 to myself, “Man, I would love to be a Raven if I’m not in Tennessee or if I don’t get to go to Dallas.”
After giving Ezekiel Elliott a massive six-year, $90 million contract extension in 2019, it seems the Cowboys won’t be giving out big contracts to running backs very soon. Top RB draft candidates Blake Corum (Michigan), Trey Benson (Florida State), and Jonathan Brooks (Texas) have already visited with them.
The choices made this offseason regarding long-term contracts at reasonable salaries are contrasted with the signings of Saquon Barkley (three years/$37.5M), Josh Jacobs (four years/$48M), and D’Andre Swift (three years/$24.5M). Henry is happy that he joined a team that is focused on winning right away, even though he is pondering the advantages of playing at home:
I’m relieved that things went well. I’m glad to be heading somewhere where there is hunger. 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’m prepared to step in and contribute in any manner I can to help them advance. In whichever manner I can.
With a significant amount of carries for the Titans, Henry has amassed over 1,000 yards of rushing in five of the previous six seasons. Baltimore is not going to rely much on the 30-year-old running back.
return to that extent, but King Henry can still hit a home run almost every time out.
Plus, he’s one of the few running backs whose yards per carry in shotgun actually increase as opposed to under center. Many teams who passed on Henry, particularly Dallas, may come to regret letting the two play together in Baltimore as Lamar Jackson plays the majority of his snaps in the shotgun position.
