Derrick Henry’s Move to Dallas Nearly a Reality
In a surprising twist of events, Derrick Henry's transition to the Dallas Cowboys was a closer reality than many initially believed. The star running back, who now holds a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, spends his offseasons training in Dallas, stirring thoughts of what might have been for Cowboys fans.
Henry began his career with the Tennessee Titans, where he spent eight fruitful years. However, his debut for the Ravens against none other than the Cowboys showcased his unmistakable talent. Rushing for 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns, Henry was instrumental in Baltimore's 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. This game marked the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss and highlighted glaring issues in their running game.
Currently, the Cowboys' depth chart features Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn. Despite having these options, the Cowboys have struggled significantly in their ground game. Ranking 25th in rushing during the first two weeks of the season, they managed a mere 51 yards on the ground in Week 3.
Financial considerations were a significant part of why Henry did not end up wearing a Cowboys jersey. Addressing the situation, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated, "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry." He further explained, "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."
Moreover, Jones emphasized that focusing on any single player wouldn't resolve the team's rushing issues. "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 said. "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."
Compounding the problem, the Cowboys decided to delay extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, impacting their salary cap space and limiting their ability to make significant additions to the roster.
As for Henry, his move to the Ravens bolsters an already formidable running game in Baltimore. His ability to power through defenses adds another layer of potency to the Ravens' offensive strategy, making them a tough contender as the season progresses.
For the Cowboys, the road ahead will require addressing their deficiencies in the running game if they aim to remain competitive in a heavily contested division. Whether through strategic trades, effective use of their existing roster, or perhaps revisiting their financial strategies for key signings, Dallas will need to make significant adjustments to turn their fortunes around.
As the season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will keep a close watch on both Derrick Henry's impact in Baltimore and the Cowboys' response to their early-season challenges. The story of what nearly was may linger in the minds of Dallas supporters, but the focus will inevitably shift to how the team adapts and evolves in the face of adversity.