Derrick Henry's Close Call with the Cowboys and the Resulting Ramifications
Derrick Henry to the Dallas Cowboys was closer to happening than many may initially think. The star running back, who trains in Dallas during the offseason, reportedly had a keen interest in making the city his permanent home. However, one major obstacle stood in the way: money. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed that his team couldn’t afford the four-time Pro Bowler.
Henry ended up signing a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, after spending the first eight years of his career with the Tennessee Titans. His debut performance against the Cowboys was nothing short of spectacular, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore's 28-25 win at AT&T Stadium. The game served as a stark reminder of what the Cowboys missed out on.
After the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss, Jerry Jones provided further insight into why Henry didn't land in Dallas. "We couldn't afford Derrick Henry," Jones said, laughing when asked "why not?" He elaborated, "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."
The Cowboys, facing the loss of Tony Pollard, found themselves in need of a strong running back. Their current depth chart includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, but their run game has struggled significantly. Through the first two weeks of the season, they ranked 25th in rushing, managing just 51 yards on the ground in Week 3.
Contracts were a major storyline for the Cowboys this offseason. The team opted to wait on extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, leaving them with limited salary cap space. This financial constraint ultimately led to their inability to secure a reliable running back, a void that Henry could have filled.
Jones remarked on the broader issues contributing to the Cowboys' ineffective run game. "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, because 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," he said. "This wouldn't be solved with just jumping over there and getting [Hall of Famer] Jimmy Brown."
The Cowboys' rushing woes have exposed the deficiencies in their offensive strategy and the importance of a balanced attack. While the passing game has shown promise, the lack of a powerful run game makes it difficult to keep opposing defenses honest. This imbalance has made the Cowboys' offense predictable, putting additional pressure on Prescott and the passing game.
Henry’s impact on the Ravens, however, is already evident. His presence provides Baltimore with a formidable running game, making them a more versatile and threatening opponent. The Ravens' ability to secure Henry, while the Cowboys could not, underscores the significance of financial flexibility and strategic player acquisitions in the NFL.
As the season progresses, the Cowboys will need to find ways to address their running game issues if they hope to be competitive. Whether through internal adjustments or future acquisitions, the lesson learned from the near acquisition of Derrick Henry will undoubtedly influence their tactical decisions moving forward.
In conclusion, Henry's destination highlights the delicate balance teams must maintain between star power aspirations and financial realities. For the Cowboys, it was a case of the right player at the wrong price, leaving them to wonder what might have been had they found the means to make it work.