The possibility of Derrick Henry joining the Dallas Cowboys came tantalizingly close, closer than most fans might have expected.
Henry, the star running back known for his punishing play style, has a connection to Dallas. He regularly trains in the city during the offseason, making it a familiar territory for him. Despite this, Henry ultimately signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens, putting an end to any speculation of his potential move to the Cowboys. His debut performance for the Ravens was nothing short of spectacular, as he rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns in a riveting 28-25 victory over the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
For Dallas, this loss marked their second consecutive defeat at home, raising concerns about their rushing capabilities. Currently, the Cowboys feature Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn on their depth chart. However, the team’s rushing statistics paint a worrying picture. Ranking 25th in rushing during the first two weeks of the season, the Cowboys managed a paltry 51 yards on the ground in Week 3. This subpar performance has intensified scrutiny on their offensive strategy.
When asked about the prospects of signing Henry, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was candid. "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry," Jones admitted. 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."
Indeed, financial constraints played a critical role in the Cowboys' decision-making process. Opting to wait on extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott has left the Cowboys with limited salary cap space. This economic prudence, though sensible, meant missing out on acquiring Henry, who would have significantly bolstered their running attack.
Jones also emphasized that the issues with the Cowboys' running game extend beyond the capabilities of a single player. "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," he stated. "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."
Henry’s addition to the Ravens has provided Baltimore with a formidable running game, a fact keenly felt by the Cowboys in their recent encounter. As the season progresses, it becomes increasingly apparent that Dallas must find solutions to their running game woes if they want to remain competitive. Reinforcements in the offensive line, strategic diversification in play-calling, and perhaps a willingness to explore the free-agent market more aggressively are all avenues that the Cowboys might consider to improve their ground game.
While the hypothetical addition of a player like Derrick Henry could have drastically altered the Cowboys' fortunes, the reality is they must work within their current roster and financial constraints. The journey to rectify their rushing inefficiencies is not an insurmountable one but will demand comprehensive strategic adjustments.
The NFL season is long and arduous, and early setbacks do not necessarily predict final outcomes. However, the urgency for the Cowboys to address these issues cannot be overstated. Whether through personnel shifts or tactical innovations, finding the right balance will be key to turning their season around.