OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens made a huge splash in NFL free agency on Tuesday by agreeing to terms with four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry on a multi-year deal.
Henry will sign a two-year, $16 million contract worth up to $20 million, including $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Free agents can’t officially sign until Wednesday.
Henry will give the Ravens’ offense a dynamic one-two punch, combining the power of Henry with the precision of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“Derrick Henry plays with physicality, is relentless in his preparation, and has a clear passion to get over the hump to play for a championship,” said ESPN analyst and former Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III on X. “There is only one place for him to go. Derrick Henry should be a Baltimore Raven because he already Plays like a Raven.”
Henry turned 30 on January 4th, but he is still a dominant player. The Ravens will try to make another deep run in the playoffs next season, and Henry elevates their chances.
Henry has run for at least 1,00 yards and 12 touchdowns in five of the last six seasons. He also led the NFL in rushing in 2019 (1,540), and in 2020, when he became the eighth running back in NFL history to register more than 2,000 rushing yards in a single season (2,027).
Over eight NFL seasons, Henry has run for 9,502 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, with 90 touchdowns.
Before signing Henry, the Ravens had just two running backs under contract — Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell, whose rookie season ended when he tore his ACL against Jacksonville in Week 15. Mitchell might not be available until midway through the 2024 season.
Henry will bring a new element to the Ravens’ offense because of his punishing style of play. The Ravens could add a running back in the draft for depth, but Henry will be the primary player.
Several running backs, including Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs, were targeted throughout the first day of the legal tampering period that began on Monday at noon. The Ravens appear to have gotten the best player available.
