In the 2024 NFL offseason, running back Derrick Henry became a free agent and signed with the Baltimore Ravens. This was Henry’s first team change, and there was speculation about how he’d fit with quarterback Lamar Jackson in offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s offense.
Fast forward to the end of the 2024 regular season, and Henry answered any questions by totaling 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns (both second-most in his career). He also set a new career-best 5.9 yards per carry. A brutal Divisional Round loss to the Buffalo Bills ended Baltimore’s season earlier than expected, but Henry is ready for 2025.
Derrick Henry Says ‘Run It Back’ for 2025
Ravens RB Derrick Henry with a simple
message on his Instagram story“Run it back” pic.twitter.com/Oq3RWee00L
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) January 22, 2025
The star running back inked a two-year contract last offseason, and his 2024 performance stopped any speculation that he or the team may move on.
Henry’s contract was for $16 million, with a max value of $20 million with incentives. The contract included $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year. His base salary this season was $6 million, and he received a $3.89 million signing bonus for a 2024 cap hit of $10.89 million.
While Henry produced like an MVP candidate in 2024, 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 posted a career-low 4.2 yards per carry and was entering his age-30 season. Teams were concerned, as evidenced by 10 other running backs agreeing to deals before Henry finally signed with the Ravens.
It’s safe to say that this contract has worked out extremely well for Baltimore. Henry and Jackson have formed an incredible one-two punch that looked unstoppable until playing the Bills.
Henry enters a contract year in 2025, and despite entering his age-31 season, expect him to continue his dominance running the ball. Monken has received some head coaching buzz lately, but a departure doesn’t seem imminent.
It will be tough for Henry to outperform his 2024 numbers, but he has surpassed 2,000 rushing yards once in his career. In 2020, with the Tennessee Titans and Arthur Smith as the play-caller, Henry had his best statistical season, finishing with 2,027 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 ypc.
Smith left for Atlanta the following year, and Henry suffered a Jones fracture in his foot, which sidelined him after eight games. He responded well in 2022, rushing for over 1,500 yards, but a down 2023 season brought questions about Henry’s future as a bell-cow RB.
Ravens fans should hope Monken stays, having gotten the best out of both Henry and Jackson. Nevertheless, 2025 will be Super Bowl or bust for Baltimore.