Derrick Henry is set to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, giving Lamar Jackson a new big-name backfield mate.
It’s a two-year, $16 million contract for the superstar running back, according to ESPN, which reports the deal can max out at $20 million and guarantees Henry $9 million in 2024.
Henry, 30, rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, his eighth in the NFL, all with the Tennessee Titans. Despite what’s considered an advanced age for a running back, Henry earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection in 2023 and led the league in rushing attempts for the fourth time in five years.
The 6-3, 247-pound back known as King Henry boasts 9,502 yards and 90 rushing touchdowns in his career. He won NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2020, when he led the league with a career-high 2,027 rushing yards, and has authored two other seasons exceeding 1,500 rushing yards as well.
His physical running style adds another dynamic to an electric Ravens offense headlined by the lightning-quick quarterback Jackson, who won NFL MVP last season for the second time in his career.
Defenses will now have to account for the bruising Henry and the elusive Jackson, who’s run for more than 750 yards in each of the last five seasons and twice eclipsed 1,000.
The Ravens went an NFL-best 13-4 last year but lost in the AFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Baltimore featured a revolving door at running back after JK Dobbins suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 1. Short-yardage specialist Gus Edwards, a Rutgers alum who scored 13 touchdowns for Baltimore in 2023, reached a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday.
Henry becomes the latest star running back set to change teams when the new league year officially begins Wednesday. Other impending moves include Saquon Barkley going to the Philadelphia Eagles; Josh Jacobs joining the Green Bay Packers; Austin Ekeler heading to the Washington Commanders; and Aaron Jones signing with the Minnesota Vikings.
To help replace Henry, the Titans agreed Monday to a reported three-year, $24 million contract with former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. Tyjae Spears, a speedy 2023 third-round pick, returns after rushing for 453 yards and two touchdowns as Henry’s backup last season.
