Dallas Cowboys' Missed Opportunity with Derrick Henry
The narrative that Derrick Henry, the star running back, came close to joining the Dallas Cowboys carries its own intriguing subplot. Training in Dallas during the offseason, Henry naturally intersects with Cowboys’ territory. However, despite the proximity, Henry has signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, leaving fans to only imagine the possibility of him wearing the Cowboys' iconic star.
Henry, who spent the first eight illustrious years of his career with the Tennessee Titans, made his presence felt when he debuted for the Ravens against the Cowboys, rushing for 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns in a thrilling 28-25 win at AT&T Stadium. This marked the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss, a concerning trend for a team with high aspirations.
The Cowboys currently have Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn on their depth chart. Despite this trio, the Cowboys have struggled mightily in the run game, ranking 25th in rushing through the first two weeks of the season and managing just 51 yards on the ground in Week 3. This underperformance has led some to speculate whether acquiring Henry could have been the key to solving their rushing woes.
However, financial realities played a significant role in this missed opportunity. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones openly acknowledged the constraints. "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry," he stated bluntly. He added, "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."
Jones also stressed that the struggles in the running game cannot be pinned solely on the ability of any single running back. "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, pointing toward a more systemic issue. "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."
The Cowboys' decision to wait on extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott has only added to their current conundrum, leaving them with limited salary cap space. These financial constraints have effectively prevented Jones from bolstering the team with additional star power, like Henry, potentially leaving a gap that may prove crucial as the season progresses.
On the other hand, the Baltimore Ravens are reaping the benefits of adding Derrick Henry to their roster. His performance not only bolsters their ground game but also makes the Ravens a formidable force as the season advances. Henry’s ability to break tackles, find gaps, and turn modest gains into substantial yardage provides an edge that few other running backs can offer.
As the Cowboys continue to struggle in key areas, and with no Derrick Henry to spearhead their rushing attack, they face the critical task of finding solutions within their existing roster while managing their budget constraints. The question remains whether they can make the necessary adjustments to stay competitive in the long and challenging NFL season.