OWINGS MILLS, Md.—Running back Derrick Henry was eager to show his new teammates on the Baltimore Ravens his commitment to winning a championship.
That’s why the four-time Pro Bowler and the 2020 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year showed up at the team’s voluntary strength and conditioning program this week.
“I’m the new guy, so I want to make sure that I show up and I show my team and show this organization [that] I’m here, I’m committed,” Henry said after the final workout sessions Wednesday. “I want to come work and want to put the work in and be around my teammates and develop that relationship with them and really just put the work in and work as hard as I can when I’m in the building.”
The Ravens signed Henry with the hope that he can help lead them to the Super Bowl next season. The team signed him as a free agent this offseason after he spent the past eight seasons in Tennessee.
Last season, Henry, 30, started all 17 games for the Titans in 2023 and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl. He led the AFC and ranked second in the NFL with 1,167 rushing yards on 280 carries (4.1 average), while his 12 rushing touchdowns tied for fifth in the conference.
Henry also posted 214 receiving yards on 28 receptions (7.6 average).
Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta tried to acquire Henry at the trade deadline last season, but the Titan player wouldn’t budget. As a result, signing Henry this offseason was a key priority.
“This guy is a warrior, and he’s right up there with the very best we’ve ever had,” DeCosta said at Henry’s introductory press conference. “Certainly, we’ve had a number of outstanding players throughout the years. We’ve had multiple guys win Offensive Player of the Year in the league, whether with us or with somebody else—even a guy like Priest Holmes. But we’ve had so many great ones. This guy, [he’s an] unbelievable player, [and I’m] excited to see what he does. It’s a brotherhood, like he said, and I know that we have a lot of guys, [including] the legends—the Baltimore legends [and] running back legends [that] are going to be cheering for this guy from Day One, and that’s exciting.”
Henry has appeared in 119 regular season games with 9,502 rushing yards and 90 touchdowns on 2,030 carries (4.7 avg.). He also gained 1,458 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 155 receptions (9.4 avg.), while throwing four touchdowns (7-of-9 passing for 37 yards) during his career.
Since 2017, Henry has led the NFL in almost every major rushing category, including yards (9,012), touchdowns (85), yards per game (86.7), attempts (1,920), and gains of 10-plus yards (220).
In 2020, Henry (2,027) became just the eighth player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards in a season, en route to being named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He also became the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson (2006–07) to lead the NFL in rushing yards for two consecutive seasons (2019–20).
Nonetheless, Henry was performing the endurance and speed drills this week like he was a rookie trying to make the team. In addition to Henry, NFL MVP and quarterback Lamar Jackson, inside linebacker Roquan Smith, wide receiver Zay Flowers, and starting center Tyler Linderbaum, among several other players, were in attendance.
Henry said that participation level showed the team’s commitment to winning a championship.
“I just love playing this game, and [I’m] going to continue to play until I feel like my time is up,” Henry said. “As long as God allows me to play and play at a high level, and [I get] a new opportunity, like I said, that I’m excited for [playing for] a great organization ... I’m really wanting to hold that trophy up at the end of the year, but it starts right now, putting the work in and doing all those things that qualify you to be in the position when it’s that time. [I] don’t want to get too hyped up or too overwhelmed when talking about that, but just putting the work in just so you’re prepared and ready to go when the season comes and be able to play at a high level.”
Henry also made a solid first impression on his teammates. They were impressed by his size (6 feet 3, 247 pounds) and speed and they look forward to watching him on the field this upcoming season.
“The guy is very built, strong, and fast. He’ll be a good addition for us,” Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum said. “We’re excited to have him on our team, and we’re looking forward to seeing the things he can do for us.”
