Derrick Henry’s potential move to the Dallas Cowboys was closer to realization than many might have believed. The star running back showed interest in making Dallas, where he trains during the offseason, his permanent residence.
However, a significant hurdle emerged: financial constraints. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed that the team could not afford the four-time Pro Bowler.
Henry ultimately signed with the Baltimore Ravens, where he demonstrated his value to the Cowboys during their matchup, rushing for 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns in Baltimore’s 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. Observing Henry overpowering their defense likely left Jones regretting the missed opportunity.
Following the Cowboys’ second consecutive home defeat, Jones elaborated on why Henry found a home on the Ravens’ sidelines instead of with the Cowboys.
“We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry,” Jones remarked with a chuckle when asked why that was the case. “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.”
Henry signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Ravens after spending the first eight years of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans.
With Tony Pollard missing, the Cowboys faced a pressing need for a strong running back. Currently, their depth chart includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, yet their ground game has struggled. After two weeks, the Cowboys ranked 25th in rushing, managing only 51 yards on the ground in Week 3.
Jones addressed the underperformance in the running game, stating that it involves more than just the absence of a standout running back.
“I wouldn’t attribute our running game issues solely to any one running back, because it takes offensive linemen to create openings; a solid passing game is necessary to keep defenders honest in the run game. It encompasses a lot of factors,” Jones asserted. “This wouldn’t be resolved simply by bringing in [Hall of Famer] Jim Brown.”
Contract negotiations were a significant topic for the Cowboys during the offseason. They postponed extensions for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, resulting in limited salary cap space. The financial constraints have ultimately contributed to their struggle in finding a dependable running back.