The Dallas Cowboys' pursuit of Derrick Henry may have been closer than anyone initially thought, according to recent disclosures. Henry, a superstar running back, regularly trains in Dallas during his offseason, and the prospect of him joining the Cowboys wasn't out of the realm of possibilities. However, financial constraints ultimately dashed that prospect.
After spending eight illustrious seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Henry signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. His debut for the Ravens against the Cowboys was nothing short of spectacular. Rushing for 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns, Henry spearheaded Baltimore's 28-25 win at AT&T Stadium, handing the Cowboys their second consecutive home loss.
Financial Hurdles
Jerry Jones, the outspoken owner of the Cowboys, was upfront about the financial impracticality of acquiring Henry. "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry," he admitted. Expanding on the limitations, Jones 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."
The Cowboys face salary cap constraints partly because they decided to wait on extending contracts for key players like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This left the team with limited flexibility to make significant roster additions.
Rushing Woes
The Cowboys rank near the bottom in rushing statistics early in the season, and their run game has been a glaring weakness. Despite having Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn on their depth chart, the team managed only 51 rushing yards in Week 3, contributing to their struggles.
Jones sought to explain the team's rushing deficiencies, noting that it's not simply due to the running backs. "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. "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."
As the Cowboys continue their season, correcting their running game issues will be essential for remaining competitive. The team will need to explore new strategies, whether it's reconfiguring their offensive line, adjusting their game plans, or potentially making smaller, more financially feasible acquisitions. Meanwhile, Henry’s presence has given the Ravens a formidable offensive weapon, reinforcing their ground game.
While fans in Dallas may rue what could have been, the Cowboys remain a team to watch. Financial prudence and strategic adjustments will be necessary as they seek to address the challenges on their rushing front.