Derrick Henry’s potential move to the Dallas Cowboys was more feasible than many might have believed. The running back showed interest in making Dallas, where he trains in the offseason, his long-term home.
However, a significant barrier stood in the way: financial constraints. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged that his team could not accommodate the four-time Pro Bowler’s salary demands.
Henry eventually signed with the Baltimore Ravens and demonstrated his capabilities against the Cowboys, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns in Baltimore’s 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. His performance likely left Jones regretting the missed opportunity.
Following the Cowboys’ second consecutive home defeat, Jones elaborated on why Henry is now with the Ravens instead of Dallas. “We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry,” he said, chuckling when asked why. “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 career with the Tennessee Titans.
The Cowboys, who recently lost Tony Pollard, were in urgent need of a strong running back. Their current depth chart includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, but their rushing game has been lacking. After two weeks, they ranked 25th in rushing and managed just 51 yards on the ground in Week 3.
Jones addressed the team’s shortcomings in the running game, stating that it goes beyond simply having a star running back. “I wouldn’t pinpoint the running game and its struggles over the last three games on any one running back,” he noted. “It requires offensive linemen to create space, a passing game to keep defenses honest, and many other factors to make it effective. This wouldn’t be solved just by bringing in [Hall of Famer] Jim Brown.”
The contracts of key players were a significant topic for the Cowboys during the offseason. Delays in extending wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott limited their salary cap flexibility, contributing to their inability to secure a reliable running back.