The Baltimore Ravens already had one of the NFL‘s best rushing attacks in 2023. Now, they’re adding Derrick Henry.
The Ravens agreed to sign free agent running back on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with Henry on a two-year deal. What does Henry’s new contract look like, and what will he bring to Baltimore’s offense?
Ravens Agree to Terms With Derrick Henry
Henry will receive $16 million over two years, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He can collect up to $4 million via incentives and earn $9 million fully guaranteed in 2024.
The Ravens have had their eye on Henry, who spent the first eight years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans, for a while. Baltimore was reportedly interested in acquiring Henry from the Titans at the 2023 trade deadline, but no deal came to fruition.
While Henry has played exclusively in the AFC South, he feels like an AFC North type of running back. He’s led the league in rushing attempts four times in the last five years, including in 2023.
Capable of true brute force, Henry will play behind a much better offensive line in Baltimore than he did in Tennessee. The Ravens ranked second in yards before contact per attempt (3.2) last season; the Titans finished just 26th (2.2).
Lamar Jackson’s gravity as a rushing threat could lead to better opportunities for Henry, and the relationship should be reciprocal. If Henry’s presence leads to more defenders in the box, Jackson could see improved throwing windows if fewer bodies are in coverage.
Henry has managed double-digit touchdowns six times and crossed 1,000 yards rushing five times. In 2020, he topped 2,000 yards, winning the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award and being named a first-team All-Pro.
The Ravens needed new faces in their backfield after losing Gus Edwards to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. Fellow RB J.K. Dobbins is a pending free agent. Baltimore still has Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell, although the latter is coming off a torn Achilles.
Of course, Henry comes with a few notable corners. He turned 30 years old in January, and the history of aging running backs — even those as talented as King Henry — is not overly optimistic.
Henry also experienced a decline in his workload last season. The Titans deployed rookie Tyjae Spears more heavily than any of Henry’s previous RB2s had ever been used. Henry’s attempts were sliced from 349 in 2023 to 280 in 2022, while his playtime dropped from 67% to 53% year over year.
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Baltimore had other running back options if it wanted to pursue them. But they all earned a similar or better payday than the Ravens gave Henry.
Saquon Barkley will collect more than $13 million annually (and $26 million guaranteed from the Philadelphia Eagles. Josh Jacobs will earn $14 million from the Green Bay Packers in 2024. Even Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift received $8 million on their new deals.
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