With Derrick Henry owning a home in Dallas and the Cowboys eyeing a new running backs corps in 2024, there seemed to be a natural connection between the two sides when the veteran hit free agency. Instead, Henry ended up signing with the Ravens, and during a recent appearance on “Schein on Sports,” the running back admitted that the Cowboys never reached out.
[RELATED: Ravens To Sign RB Derrick Henry]
“The Cowboys never called at all,” Henry said (h/t Lawrence Dow of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Yahoo). “That’s where I stay in the offseason. I’m kind of on the back end of my career and that’s a great organization. It would’ve been a great opportunity, but I’m thankful that I ended up here in Baltimore.”
The Cowboys were mentioned as a “dark horse” suitor for Henry back at the trade deadline, but a move never materialized. As Henry’s contract expired and Tony Pollard hit free agency, it seemed like this would be the time for the Cowboys to pounce.
Instead, the organization hasn’t done anything to address the depth they’ve lost at RB in recent years. Pollard led their backfield in 2023, and the organization moved on from offensive stalwart Ezekiel Elliott last offseason. At the moment, 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn is expected to lead the depth chart, with the team also rostering Malik Davis and Snoop Conner.
While the cash-strapped Cowboys have been quiet this week, it wouldn’t have taken a massive commitment to sign Henry. The deal was described as a two-year, $16MM deal with $20MM upside. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero has more details on that contract.
In 2024, Henry will earn a guaranteed $1.21MM salary in addition to a $7.79MM signing bonus. In 2025, that salary will jump to $5MM, and Henry will be due $1MM via a roster bonus in March. There’s an additional $2MM that Henry can earn each season via incentives.
Cowboys are twiddling their thumbs all offseason meanwhile teams like Ravens Texans Dolphins Eagles making huge moves
Cowboys are shooting for 2025 which on paper is a better free agency class than 2024.
All those teams have cap issues coming up aside from Texans.
2025 2026 2027 Bal Mia Phi are projected near bottom in terms of cap space available.
Still no excuses though. Chargers and saints in cap purgatory and even they’re making additions.
And still going to face cap issues lol. Chargers only have 24 guys under contract for 2025 10 in 2026. They have a lot of holes to fill next couple years. Not a lot of cap room compared to others who saved cap space.
Saints have major cap issues in 2025 already over 47 mill
@sentinelAtl chargers aren’t in cap purgatory next year 140 million under the cap might have changed with the restructures a little. They had 4 guys with 30+ cap hits. They messed up on allen asking him for a pay cut, and he must’ve asked for a trade.
They’re under the cap majorly hence why two of their major weapons aren’t there anymore. Saints have it the worst
Dolphins had the 2nd worst cap position in the NFL this offseason.. they lost Wilkins but have upgraded almost every other spot on the team…. what have the cowboys done?
@jeremyn, facts that’s what I’ve been saying!
Brewer (71 PFF) is not an upgrade over Williams (86.5 PFF).
Brooks (57) is not an upgrade over Baker (66 PFF) (great run stop not so good in coverage)
Fuller is not an upgrade over Howard who’s produced double the value compared to Fuller
Jones Gilmore are not upgrades over Wilkins Davis
But sure Dolphins got better signing worse guys.
NOT A COWBOY FAN!
I actually applaud this move by Dallas. Massively overpaying a RB in his 30s who has lead the league in carries 4 out of his last 5 years makes little to no sense.
They can easily draft a back that will be more useful, younger, healthier and most importantly cheaper. Yeah he won’t be a tank like DH but at some point the tracks are gonna fall off that tank and he becomes an overpriced fullback at that point.
Dallas made the right move here….
They made right move im just saying almost every team has had a headline worthy free agency move. Kirk to Atlanta. Danielle to Houston. Barkley to Philly. Cowboys? Nada
FA’s just eat up salary cap. Both KC & 9’ers mostly have built their own rosters through the draft. Some depth via FA, but that’s about it.
Now do I think Dak is worth over $50m a season, heck no(!), but FA is overrated.
That’s cool but ATL n HOU had cap space to do so.
London Pitts Robinson are on rookie contracts
Texans kept their cap space clean last three years handing out 1-2 year deals
Philly’s issue wasn’t offense. Sure they signed Barkley but what have they done to address their defense issues? Byard left. He was a cap casualty. Haven’t replaced Cox. Haven’t improved their LB core. Secondary esp safety still a concern. They’ve been limited due to cap issues on what they can do.
Philadelphia signed Bryce Huff, who had the Jets’ team lead in sacks.
The Cowboys were never going put out $9M in the first year for any free agent RB regardless of their potential. It’d been a waste of time as his agent would’ve floated those numbers out there for all potential new teams up front. They didn’t have to call him at that point. Also, Henry works out of a one back system and they certainly aren’t changing their two back, heavy pass offense philosophy to accommodate him. They might’ve done so for the Henry of some years ago, but with all the miles on him that wasn’t going to happen. As far as their depth chart is concerned, your reporter must not know much about the Cowboys. Deuce Vaughn is now and will prolly only be a gadget player used occasionally as a surprise change of pace RB. Either Malik Davis or Hunter Luepke would be leading their depth chart right now, but they’ll both be pushed down when they draft a new lead back and sign some other FA back before the draft. (Don’t discount a return of Zeke or a similar bruising-style FA runner to complement the newly drafted one.) This article is just a rehash of already known facts – mostly a waste of time to read. Do better next time Trade Rumors.
Love how the Cowboys are always in play for someone. They have practically no cap space. Right now with deducting for their rookie draft class they only have $422k of cap space. That’s with the 51 man cutoff. Who are they signing for that?
And for those delusional fans that say they get more space by signing Dak to an extension, don’t bet on it. Dak has made it clear through his reps and brothers he may be looking to move on. And if they do sign him. Look for his cap hit to exceed $50-$55mm per year on the cap. Then figure he still needs to sign CeeDee and Micah to big extensions.
Jerry has been kicking the can down the road for so long with those back loaded contracts that now things are finally coming due.
It’s actually the “media machine” telling people they are in play? If your a long time follower, every top name is hinted by insiders to DAL. Check in with Mike Fisher for accurate information on Cowboy news.
@sentinelAtl yeah saints have been a mess for awhile reason why Peyton bailed. Should’ve got rid of Williams and Mack. Seems like that was plan because everyone was talking up allen. Easily could’ve restructured added a year and a dead year. I
Why pay a RB 10-12 million per year? BECAUSE another team did? DAL is drafting an RB. For less than 1/2 the price of a second round contract or 1/4 for a third round selection? So remember the top 3 RBs in FA and their pay. Then, compare the top 3 in this draft at the end of 2024. Critics love to spend money just to spend money. The cap doesn’t work that way.
It’s ok, the Cowboys are making a better decision by using their money to extend a worthless qb. Smdh.
Cowboys need to start over. Trade Dak and Parsons in a Herchel Walker type trade.
Henry hasn’t taken a snap for the Ravens and he’s already indicating he would have preferred being with another team? Hard to imagine him being a positive influence in the locker room.