Derrick Henry to the Dallas Cowboys was closer to happening than many may initially think. The star running back, who has a routine of training in Dallas during the offseason, seemed a natural fit for the Cowboys, who have been grappling with their running game early this season.
The Potential Move
Adding fuel to the speculation, Henry signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens after spending the first eight years of his career with the Tennessee Titans. His debut performance against the Cowboys was nothing short of spectacular, as he rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns, leading the Ravens to a 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. This marked the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss and exposed their early-season vulnerabilities.
The Cowboys' Current Struggles
Currently, the Dallas Cowboys have Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn on their depth chart. Despite this lineup, the team has struggled significantly in their rushing offense. Ranking 25th in rushing during the first two weeks of the season, they managed a mere 51 yards on the ground in Week 3. The inefficiency of the running game has become a glaring issue for the Cowboys, and one that they need to address promptly to stay competitive in the NFC East.
Financial Constraints
It appears that financial constraints played a significant role in the Cowboys not acquiring Henry. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, didn't mince words about the team's budget limitations. "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry," Jones said, elaborating further with a metaphor, "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."
Team Dynamics and Decisions
The Cowboys also chose to wait on extensions for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This strategic decision left the team with limited salary cap space, making the inclusion of a high-value player like Henry financially untenable. Despite the Cowboys’ strong desire to bring in talent to fortify their offense, they were caught in a balancing act of maintaining a manageable cap space while hoping to keep their core players satisfied.
Jerry Jones further elaborated on the complexities of building a functioning running game, "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, because 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 Road Ahead
As the season progresses, the Cowboys' need to find solutions to their rushing woes becomes more urgent. Derrick Henry’s presence provides the Ravens with a formidable running game, contrasting sharply with the Cowboys' current struggle in that department. If Dallas aims to remain a formidable force, particularly in their home games, they will need to address these inefficiencies head-on.
Ultimately, the near-miss of Henry joining the Cowboys not only emphasizes the intricate financial and strategic considerations teams must navigate but also spotlights the urgent need for Dallas to recalibrate its running game. Whether through training adjustments, player performance, or strategic acquisitions, the Cowboys will need to innovate and adapt to maintain their competitive edge.