Two-time Super Bowl champion Logan Ryan believes the Baltimore Ravens have a weapon that can take them to the Super Bowl — and his name is not Lamar Jackson. Ryan believes the path to the Super Bowl for Baltimore goes through Derrick Henry.
Derrick Henry Is Missing Link Between Ravens and AFC Championship
Ryan believes in the Ravens. He thinks they can go all the way. He just believes the difference between getting to the playoffs and getting to the Super Bowl is Henry, who had an amazing 2024 season.
“Derrick Henry is going to be the closer the Ravens need in the playoffs!” Ryan said on social media.
Henry has run for 1,921 yards and 16 touchdown this season. He took a gamble and signed a two-year deal with the Ravens as a free agent in the hopes of establishing himself as Baltimore’s lead back. Safe to say, the gamble has paid off thus far.
John Harbaugh was looking at Henry as the difference between being a good team and a great team.
Some experts in NFL circles were skeptical that Henry, 30, would have enough left in his motor to be the perfect complement to Lamar Jackson.
Henry has spent much of the 2024 NFL season proving his doubters wrong. He has enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career and was within striking distance of his third career 2,000-yard rushing season.
Derrick Henry is going to be the closer the Ravens need in the playoffs! ✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/l0AhuzZdxu
— Logan Ryan (@RealLoganRyan) January 8, 2025
Henry signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens, with a max value of $20 million with incentives. The contract includes $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year. Henry’s base salary is $6 million, and his signing bonus is $3.89 million, with an overall 2024 cap hit of $10.89 million.
Sports Illustrated obtained a copy of Henry’s contract and reported on his various incentives. Henry has earned a $500,000 bonus for scoring 13 touchdowns, and he earned another $500,000 when he scored his 15th TD. He earned an additional $500,000 bonus when he surpassed 1,200 rushing yards, plus another $500,000 when he eclipsed 1,500 rushing yards.
If the Ravens win the Super Bowl, Henry will receive another $500,000 check.
While Henry has been producing like a superstar, he’s currently a bargain for the Ravens, as he’s just the ninth-highest-paid running back in the NFL.
Entering last offseason he had just posted a career low in yards per carry (4.2), and he was entering his age-30 season. Teams were concerned, as evidenced by the fact that 10 other running backs agreed to deals before Henry finally signed with the Ravens.
It’s safe to say that this contract has worked out extremely well for Baltimore. Alongside the two-time MVP Jackson, Henry looks incredible and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Can they ride momentum into New Orleans and a Super Bowl berth?