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Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff Writer
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A day after the Baltimore Ravens‘ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, safety Kyle Hamilton summed up the criticism directed at quarterback Lamar Jackson: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”
Now, enter King Henry.
On Tuesday, the Ravens took their biggest step in removing the burden of carrying their offense off Jackson’s shoulders by teaming him with running back Derrick Henry. Baltimore reached a two-year, $16 million deal with Henry, which includes $9 million in the first year, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
For the first time in Jackson’s six-year career, defenses are going to have to fear someone in the Baltimore backfield other than the two-time NFL Most Valuable Player. Henry is a strong and explosive runner who has produced the most rushing yards (8,268) and yards from scrimmage (9,453) in the NFL since 2018.
Entering his seventh NFL season, Jackson is at the stage of his career where he needed the Ravens to add more than just a starting-caliber running back. He needed a proven playmaker to take the pressure off of him being the No. 1 rushing threat.
Jackson has led the Ravens in rushing for the past five seasons, which is an NFL record for a quarterback, according to research from the Elias Sports Bureau. He has finished as Baltimore’s leading rusher in 38 games, which are two shy of Cam Newton’s record for quarterbacks.
The most concerning number that can impact Jackson’s durability is this: He’s has taken a league-high 1,079 hits over the past six seasons. This is not the category that the Ravens want Jackson to repeatedly lead in after giving him a five-year, $260 million contract last offseason.
The Ravens have always taken the philosophy that Jackson will run as much as it takes to win, and it’s been an amazing feat that they have totaled the most rushing yards since 2018 despite Jackson not getting much help. In his six seasons, Baltimore has only had one running back gain over 1,000 yards rushing: Mark Ingram in 2019. If the numbers suggest anything, this could change with Henry, who has rushed for 1,000 yards five times in those six seasons, including leading the league in 2019 and 2020.
Henry’s career 2,030 carries will cause some to wonder whether he has too much wear and tear. But that’s the type of stability and durability that Baltimore has lacked at that position.
Injuries have caused a revolving door at running back for Baltimore. Seven running backs who have totaled 100 carries alongside Jackson: Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Ingram, Justice Hill, Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray and Kenyan Drake.
Last season, the Ravens running backs had more season-ending injuries than 100-yard games (one). Dobbins tore his Achilles in the season opener and promising rookie Keaton Mitchell suffered a significant knee injury in Week 15. Baltimore turned to Melvin Gordon and Dalvin Cook, but neither provided a consistent spark.
By the end of the season, Baltimore showed a lack of confidence in its ground game in the AFC championship, when its running backs combined for six carries in a 17-10 loss to the Chiefs. The Ravens contend the Kansas City defense was lined up to take away the run. But according to ESPN Analytics, when the Chiefs lined up six or fewer defenders in the box 35 times, Baltimore only had one running back carry and one quarterback designed run.
As much as Henry can help Baltimore, Jackson and the Ravens can do the same for him. Henry finished second in the NFL in rushing last season while playing behind a Titans offensive line that ranked 21st in run block win rate. Henry’s 619 yards rushing after first contact led the NFL in 2023. He will most likely eclipse 10,000 rushing yards in the upcoming season, and at 9,502 yards, he’s currently the active rushing leader in the NFL. His 90 rushing touchdowns is also tied for 13th all time with Hall of Famers Curtis Martin and Eric Dickerson.
The pairing of Henry and Jackson led Hall of Fame cornerback and current University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders to post on social media: “Lord have mercy on the rest of the league because it’s a rap!!! The NBA would’ve blocked this move.”
The Ravens have wanted Henry in their backfield for a while. Before last year’s trade deadline, Baltimore was close to getting a deal done for Henry but the Titans decided to keep him and ended talks, a source said.
About five months later, the Ravens were able to land Henry, although it took longer than expected. There were 10 free agent running backs who reached deals before Henry. If the Ravens hadn’t gotten Henry, there were really no other viable options to upgrade their No. 1 running back spot.
For many, the Ravens were always the frontrunners because Henry’s physical style fit Baltimore’s offensive mindset.
Former Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III wrote on social media before the start of free agency: “Derrick Henry should be a Baltimore Raven because he already plays like a Raven.”