The potential move for Derrick Henry to join the Dallas Cowboys was closer than many might have realized. The Tennessee Titans' star running back, who now trains in Dallas during the offseason, drew significant interest from the Cowboys. However, the move ultimately did not materialize.
Henry ultimately signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens after spending the first eight years of his career with the Titans. His debut performance against the Cowboys was nothing short of remarkable, rushing for 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns in Baltimore's 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. This marked the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss.
On the Cowboys' depth chart, Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn are listed as the key running backs. Despite these talents, the team's rushing game has struggled early in the season, ranking 25th in rushing during the first two weeks. The Cowboys managed just 51 yards on the ground in Week 3.
When asked about the potential acquisition of Henry, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones candidly explained the financial constraints. "We couldn't afford Derrick Henry," Jones admitted. Elaborating further, he said, "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 financial limitations Jones referenced are partly due to the Cowboys waiting on extensions for key players such as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This decision has left the team with limited salary cap space, making it difficult to afford high-profile stars like Henry.
Despite the struggles in their running game, Jones emphasized that the issues cannot be attributed to the running backs alone. "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. This wouldn't be solved with just jumping over there and getting [Hall of Famer] Jimmy Brown," he noted.
Derrick Henry's addition to the Ravens has bolstered their running game significantly, providing a formidable ground attack. The Cowboys, on the other hand, will need to find ways to address their rushing woes if they aim to stay competitive in the season ahead.
While the possibility of Henry joining the Cowboys was tantalizing for fans, the financial realities and existing player commitments made it a difficult move to execute. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how the Cowboys will navigate their running game challenges and whether they can muster the offensive strength needed to turn their fortunes around.