Derrick Henry’s Move to the Ravens: A Missed Opportunity for the Cowboys
It appears that Derrick Henry's journey from the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens was not as straightforward as many might have thought. During the offseason, the star running back was training in Dallas, creating some expectation that he might end up donning the Cowboys' iconic star. In the end, Henry inked a two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens, but not before some potentially impactful deliberations occurred behind the scenes.
On the surface, the move seemed inevitable for Henry, who had spent the first eight years of his career with the Titans. However, insiders reveal that the possibility of Henry becoming a Cowboy was closer to reality than the public might expect. The Cowboys, battling some early-season ground game woes, could have certainly used a player of Henry's caliber to strengthen their offensive attack.
During his debut performance against Dallas, Henry demonstrated exactly what the Cowboys might be missing. The prodigious running back rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns, leading the Ravens to a thrilling 28-25 victory over the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. For Dallas, this marked their second consecutive home loss—an indication that their current roster may not be up to the task.
The Cowboys' running back depth chart currently boasts Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn. However, these players have been unable to deliver the consistency needed to make an impact. Ranking 25th in rushing over the first two weeks of the season, the Cowboys managed a mere 51 yards on the ground in Week 3, further highlighting the inadequacies in their running game.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, candidly addressed the situation, stating, "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry." Jones continued to illustrate the team's financial constraints: "I don't know. Why can't you buy a mansion when you live in a different kind of house? We couldn't afford it. We can't make that all fit. That's as simple as that."
While fans and analysts alike speculated that Henry's presence could have offered a quick fix to the Cowboys' rushing issues, Jones took a more holistic view. "I wouldn't direct the running game and lack thereof or where we've been over the last three games to any one running back at all," Jones explained. "It takes some offensive linemen to blow them out of there; it takes a passing game to keep them honest in the running game. It takes a lot of things to make that work. This wouldn't be solved with just jumping over there and getting [Hall of Famer] Jimmy Brown."
In the case of Henry, the Ravens have undoubtedly enhanced their running game, providing them with an offensive threat that can change the course of any game. For the Cowboys, the missed opportunity to sign Henry leaves them with an uphill battle as they look for solutions to revitalize their rushing attack and keep their season competitive.
As the Cowboys navigate the rest of the season, tough decisions regarding extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott will loom over their salary cap space. Addressing these extensions could further limit their financial flexibility, making it crucial for the team to find internal ways to improve their performance on the ground.
The early narrative for Dallas isn’t promising, but football is a long game. The season's progression will demand resourcefulness and strategic thinking to address their existing issues. Whether through tactical adjustments or roster changes, the Cowboys must find a way to turn their fortunes around and compete at the level expected by their storied franchise.