Last week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones found himself in an awkward position defending his failure to land running back Derrick Henry. This week, it isn’t just Jones who should be scratching his head, but almost the entire NFL.
Henry – The Hidden Gem of Free Agency
Henry, arguably the true “steal” of this year’s free agency, remains a force to be reckoned with. In a stunning move, the Ravens managed to snag King Henry on a two-year, $16 million deal. That’s like finding gold in a river when everyone else was busy panning for pebbles.
Teams that Missed the Mark
Sure, some teams can be forgiven. After all, if you’ve got a high-end running back like Saquon Barkley on the Eagles, you’re covered. But what about the Giants? Swapping an opportunity to get Henry for a three-year, $16.5 million deal with Devin Singletary? That’s like opting for a moto-taxi when there’s a sleek, brand new 4×4 parked right there.
- The Browns,
- Texans (apologies to Joe Mixon),
- Raiders,
- Chargers (J.K. Dobbins hasn’t exactly dazzled lately),
- Broncos,
- Packers (missing out on Henry instead of Josh Jacobs),
- Bears (choosing D’Andre Swift over Henry),
- and the Bucs all could have benefited from Henry’s prowess.
Ravens’ Lucky Break: The Economic Beast
Interestingly, the Ravens grabbed Henry at a bargain price, paying him a two-year base that matches what they shelled out to Odell Beckham Jr. for a single year in 2023. Talk about striking oil in the desert!
Through four games, the man is a bulldozer on the field, leading the league with a jaw-dropping 480 rushing yards. Imagine this: in just the last couple of games, Henry churned out a monstrous 350 yards, thanks to the Ravens shifting their offensive strategy to capitalize on his undeniable might. An O-2 start be damned! This team is back in the game, and it looks like they’re here to stay.
Football’s River of Gold
If Henry continues on this unstoppable trajectory, the Ravens are sure to stack up the wins. But for the rest of the league, there’s a haunting “what if” echoing through the locker rooms and board meetings. Each missed call to Henry is a critical miss, like leaving a perfectly thrown Hail Mary pass hanging in the wind.
So, next time a gem like Henry is up for grabs, team owners might want to remember this season’s lesson: the river of gold flows to those who seize it. As the Raven flies high, expect those left behind to endure a long, harsh winter of second-guessing and regret.
Get on the ball, folks. Timing and vision are everything in this game.
