By Matthew Neschis
Derrick Henry has debunked rumours about joining the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys are on the hunt for a new running back after Tony Pollard left to sign a three-year, $24million (£18.9m) contract with the Tennessee Titans. This move seemed to pave the way for the Cowboys to chase Henry, but he says they never even got in touch.
“The Cowboys never called at all,” Henry, 30, said during an appearance on the Schein on Sports podcast. “That’s where I stay in the offseason. I’m kind of on the back end of my career and that’s a great organisation. It would’ve been a great opportunity, but I’m thankful that I ended up here in Baltimore.”
In the end, Henry signed a two-year, $16m (£12.6m) NFL contract with the Baltimore Ravens, calling the decision a "no brainer." "This is where I knew I wanted to be," Henry told reporters during his introductory press conference on Thursday.
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"I love the style, the physicality that they play with on all three phases. I feel like it fits my style of play as well. And it really was a no-brainer. [We were] just trying to figure out the business side of things. I’m glad we were able to get it figured out."
After eight seasons with the Titans, Henry is joining the Ravens, who topped the NFL last season in rushing yards (2,661) and rushing yards per game (156.5). He will be a great addition to the team alongside two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Henry has proven himself as one of the toughest running backs in the NFL during his time with Tennessee. He led the league in rushing yards in two different seasons and was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2020.
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Ravens head coach John Harbaugh could hardly hide his excitement about Henry's move to the team. "I’m trying to figure out who’s more excited on our staff, the offensive coaches or the defensive coaches," Harbaugh said.
"The offensive coaches are pretty fired up, but the defensive coaches, they don’t have to tackle this guy anymore. It’s just great for our team. It’s going to make a difference for us. I know the players are excited, and we can’t wait to get started."
The Cowboys have been unusually silent this offseason, which follows owner Jerry Jones' statement that his team would be "all-in" for 2024. To make more money available under the salary cap, the team let go of wide receiver Michael Gallup and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on Friday.
"I don't really know what's going on over there," was Henry's comment about the Cowboys.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.