The Dallas Cowboys had a near miss in acquiring one of the NFL's most formidable running backs, Derrick Henry, who instead signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. The star running back’s potential move to the Cowboys was closer to reality than many might have anticipated, particularly since he trains in Dallas during the offseason.
Henry's debut with the Ravens in a game against the Cowboys was nothing short of spectacular. He rushed for 151 yards and scored two touchdowns, leading Baltimore to a narrow 28-25 victory at AT&T Stadium. This marked the Cowboys' second consecutive home loss, highlighting issues that extend beyond just their performance on the field that day.
The Cowboys' backfield currently includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn. Despite this roster, the team has struggled significantly with their rushing game, ranking 25th in the league during the first two weeks of the season. Their performance on the ground was particularly dismal in Week 3, where they only managed 51 rushing yards. This lack of production has been a glaring issue that the Cowboys need to address if they intend to keep their competitive edge throughout the season.
Addressing these challenges, team owner Jerry Jones candidly stated, "We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry." He elaborated further, "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 financial constraints were largely due to the Cowboys’ decision to focus their salary cap space on other key players, such as wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, whose contract extensions have yet to be finalized.
Jerry Jones also emphasized that the team's rushing woes could not be pinned on a single player. "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," Jones remarked.
Meanwhile, Derrick Henry’s addition to the Ravens has bolstered their running game, offering them a formidable ground attack as the season progresses. For the Cowboys, the need for a well-rounded offensive strategy becomes even more critical. The failure to fortify their rushing game has exposed a vulnerability that opposing teams are likely to exploit.
As the Cowboys evaluate their roster and make tactical adjustments, the missed opportunity to sign Derrick Henry looms large. Their current struggle in the running game demands immediate attention, and the path forward may involve both short-term fixes and long-term strategies. Only time will reveal how the Cowboys navigate these challenges, but what remains clear is that the road to improving their rushing attack is far from straightforward.