Derrick Henry 'Blessed' To Play For Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens and running back Derrick Henry had long been connected through playing each other and potentially joining forces at the 2023 trade deadline.
Now, they're together after the Ravens and Henry agreed to a two-year contract worth $16 million with $9 million guaranteed on Tuesday. The former Tennessee Titans running back can make up to $20 million in the two-year deal.
Derrick Henry at his introductory press conference on Thursday.
Given Henry's history against the Ravens and the team's recent success, the opportunity to potentially be the missing piece in a Super Bowl run was an easy decision.
"It really was a no-brainer for me," Henry said. "This is where I knew where I wanted to be. I love the style [and] 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."
Henry faced Baltimore four times in the regular season and twice in the playoffs during his time with the Titans. Across the four regular season matchups, Henry had 55 carries for 277 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 6 in London last season, he had 12 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens.
In the postseason, Henry had 48 carries for 235 yards and one passing touchdown. His best postseason performance came in 2019 when he had 30 carries for 195 yards and led Tennessee to upset the No. 1 seed Ravens 28-12.
Given Henry's success against Baltimore and the accolades he has garnered over his eight-year career, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh believes he can be a difference-maker on offense.
"This is a [running] back that can do everything, and he can change the game for you, so we're excited about it," Harbaugh said. "I'm looking forward to it."
Henry, a former All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler and 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, ran for 1,167 yards in 2023, only trailing San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, who ran for 1,459 yards. The former Titans running back also ran for 12 touchdowns last season.
For both the Ravens and Henry, they've fallen just short of a Super Bowl at different points in recent seasons. Now they're both pushing together in the same direction to get over that hump. Given where Henry is in his career and how close Baltimore came last season to reaching the Super Bowl, the opportunity to get the one accomplishment he's missing in his career is one he's looking forward to.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity," Henry said. "This is a great organization. My family's here with me – my girlfriend Adrianna, my daughter Valentina, and Adrianna's mom, Ms. Simona. Like [Eric DeCosta] said, I've had some great battles against the Ravens for five to seven years, and [I'm] happy and grateful to be a part of it. God is good, and [I'm] blessed for this opportunity."
