OWINGS MILLS — Ravens running back Derrick Henry has won many accolades during his eight-year career.
He is a four-time Pro Bowler, an NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and a two-time rushing champion.
Henry’s main focus now is winning a Super Bowl. He chose to sign with the Ravens this offseason because he was confident the team gave him the best chance to win.
“Super Bowl. That’s the goal,” Henry said at training camp. “I mean, that’s always been the goal, but Super Bowl is definitely where I’m at now, so yes. I’ve had chances and got close, but that’s what it is right now.”
The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season with 156.5 yards per game. The addition of Henry makes the rushing attack even more formidable this year.
Henry has run for at least 1,00 yards and 12 touchdowns in five of the last six seasons. He also led the NFL in rushing in 2019 (1,540), and in 2020, when he became the eighth running back in NFL history to register more than 2,000 rushing yards in a single season (2,027).
The one-two punch of Henry and two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson should provide matchup challenges for opposing defenses. Jackson and Henry are on the same page with their ultimate goal for this season.
“That’s just what we want to do. That’s the expectation,” Henry said. “That’s what we expect, and it starts out here. But that’s definitely a main goal and the No. 1 goal for me – is to get a Super Bowl.”
In March, the Ravens signed Henry to a two-year, $16 million contract worth up to $20 million, including $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year. Henry turned 30 on January 4th but is still a dominant player and scoffed at the idea that he is slowing down.
“My approach to my job every day … I think that’s always going to be said when a running back gets up in age and that’s the stigma on the position,” he said. “But I just focus on me being healthy, doing my job when I’m here and then let my play speak for my age and everything else.”
He continues to look like a dominant player, with a work ethic to match.
“He’s so diligent, [he’s in] great shape, and [he’s] diligent about every single play, everything he does,” coach John Harbaugh said. “You can see why he’s been so successful.”