The Baltimore Ravens and star running back Derrick Henry have agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Tuesday.
The deal could be worth up to $20 million with incentives and includes a $9 million guarantee, Schefter reported.
Free-agent Derrick Henry is signing a two-year, $16 million deal worth up to $20 million, including $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year with the Baltimore Ravens, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jYiY9118kR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2024
Henry spent his entire eight-year career with the Tennessee Titans before reaching free agency this season. He put together a massively productive career, racking up 9,502 rushing yards and a franchise record 90 touchdowns. (RELATED: NFL Team Rebounds From Losing Superstar By Trading For Highly Coveted Defender)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans looks on prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The bruising star back was selected to four Pro Bowls and earned AP Offensive Player of the year honors in a 2020 season that saw him rush for 2,027 yards, making him just the eighth player in NFL history to eclipse 2000 yards on the ground in one season.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Running back Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans stiff arms cornerback Alexander Myers#43 of the Detroit Lions during the second quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans stiff arms Darious Williams #31 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field on January 07, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
The six-foot, three inch, 250-pound running back led the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans stiff arms Michael Jackson #30 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
He joins a Ravens running attack who, led by dual threat QB Lamar Jackson, already led the NFL in rushing yards in 2023 by a healthy margin, outrushing their closest opponent by over 260 yards.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Though the Ravens just lost running back Gus Edwards and his 13 touchdowns to the Los Angeles Chargers, Henry should be more than a viable replacement. The human battering ram has recorded double digit touchdowns in every year since 2018.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA: Gus Edwards #35 of the Baltimore Ravens dives past Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers while scoring a rushing touchdown during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
Henry fell off slightly in 2023, marking a career low 4.2 yards per carry in what has been a steady downward slide from his 2020 peak. But the veteran back is still extremely productive, as evidenced by his 1,167 rushing yards, which trailed only star 49ers back Christian McCaffrey.
Henry led the league in rushing attempts, a burden he likely won’t have to shoulder in Baltimore. Aside from Lamar Jackson’s rushing threat, the Ravens also have a gaggle of capable change-of-pace backs in Justice Hill, J.K. Dobbins and Keaton Mitchell.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Baltimore Ravens dives into the end zone past Derek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans for a touchdown in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA: Running back Justice Hill #43 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the football after a reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Ravens defeated the Cardinals 31-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Keaton Mitchell #34 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown during the second half in the game against the Seattle Seahawks at M&T Bank Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)