The Baltimore Ravens Might’ve Been Hiding This From Us: A New Dynamic With Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry?
The Baltimore Ravens have long been known for their strong defense, innovative offensive schemes, and, of course, their quarterback Lamar Jackson, whose electrifying playmaking ability has been the focal point of their offensive strategy. However, recent whispers and rumors have left fans and analysts wondering if the Ravens have been hiding something under wraps—a potential game-changing move that could reshape their entire offensive identity. Could the Ravens be preparing to add one of the NFL’s most dominant running backs, Derrick Henry, to their roster? If this rumor proves true, it could be the missing piece Baltimore needs to elevate themselves to legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
The Rise of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ Evolution
Lamar Jackson has been the face of the Ravens’ offense since he took over as the starting quarterback in 2018. His ability to extend plays with his legs, coupled with a strong arm and a unique skill set, has made him one of the most dynamic players in the NFL. His MVP season in 2019 solidified his place in the league’s elite, and his continued evolution as a quarterback has kept the Ravens in the playoff picture year after year.
However, despite Jackson’s brilliance, the Ravens have faced consistent challenges in the postseason, with a lack of consistency in the passing game and a sometimes one-dimensional offense. Baltimore has relied heavily on the running game to set up its offense, with Jackson often carrying a large portion of the rushing load himself. While this has worked at times, there have been moments when the Ravens’ offense has struggled to generate balance, especially in crucial moments during playoff games.
Derrick Henry: The Potential Game-Changer
Enter Derrick Henry. The NFL’s reigning powerhouse running back, Henry has been one of the most dominant forces in the league over the past several seasons. Known for his bruising running style and incredible endurance, Henry has run over defenders, breaking records along the way. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing over 240 pounds, Henry is a force to be reckoned with and could provide the Ravens with the type of running back they’ve never had during Lamar Jackson’s tenure.
If the Ravens have been quietly eyeing Henry, it would make perfect sense. While Jackson has had success as a dual-threat quarterback, the Ravens have lacked a true workhorse back who can grind out yards and wear down defenses. Henry, with his ability to gain big yardage, especially in crucial situations, would allow Baltimore to implement a more traditional, yet devastating, power-running game.
Adding a player of Henry’s caliber could give the Ravens an additional offensive weapon and make their offense even more unpredictable. Opposing defenses would have to account for Jackson’s scrambling ability while also preparing for Henry’s powerful runs up the middle. This combination could open up the passing game, particularly for Jackson, who could exploit mismatches with his arm once defenses are forced to commit more resources to stopping the run.
How Derrick Henry Fits in Baltimore’s System
The Ravens have always valued a strong ground game, but they have also been seeking more balance and versatility in their offense. In Henry, they would find a player who is capable of carrying the ball 20-30 times a game while breaking off explosive runs that can shift the momentum of a game. What makes this pairing even more intriguing is how Henry could complement Jackson’s style of play.
Jackson’s ability to make plays on the ground has always been central to Baltimore’s offensive scheme. However, the addition of Henry would allow Jackson to take fewer hits while still maintaining the Ravens’ aggressive running style. With Henry’s physicality, Jackson could operate more as a pocket passer or use his legs in more strategic ways, rather than relying on them for every play. The Ravens would then be able to mix in more play-action opportunities, utilizing Jackson’s strong arm to stretch defenses vertically and find open receivers down the field.
Henry’s presence would also make it easier for Jackson to execute bootlegs and rollouts, where the defense would be forced to make a decision on whether to stop the run or cover the pass. This added unpredictability could make the Ravens’ offense almost impossible to stop when clicking on all cylinders.
What This Means for the Ravens’ Playoff Hopes
While the Ravens have consistently been a playoff contender under Jackson’s leadership, the team has often struggled to advance deep into the postseason. In recent years, their one-dimensional offense—heavy on running and light on passing—has been exposed by teams with strong defenses, particularly in high-pressure playoff games. Adding Henry could be the missing piece to making Baltimore’s offense one of the most formidable in the NFL.
With the power of Henry to complement Jackson’s agility and ability to break open the game, the Ravens would become a much more dangerous team. Not only would they have the ability to dominate the clock and control possession with a power-running game, but they would also have the versatility to attack defenses from multiple angles. This would make the Ravens a much harder team to game plan for, especially in the playoffs, where one-dimensional offenses are often exposed.
Additionally, Henry’s ability to convert in short-yardage and goal-line situations could relieve some of the pressure on Jackson to make every play. In the past, the Ravens have struggled in red-zone situations when Jackson is forced to make quick decisions in tight spaces. Henry, with his size and physicality, would be an ideal solution to converting those short-yardage opportunities into touchdowns, allowing the Ravens to finish drives more effectively.
The Bigger Picture: The NFL’s Newest Power Duo?
If the Ravens manage to land Derrick Henry, they would instantly become one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. The combination of Lamar Jackson, one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks, and Derrick Henry, one of the most punishing running backs, could form a new offensive juggernaut. The Ravens could dominate the clock, control the game’s tempo, and put up points in a variety of ways that would make them nearly impossible to stop.
The addition of Henry would also send a message to the rest of the NFL: Baltimore is not just relying on Jackson’s brilliance anymore. They are building a complete offense that can match up with the best teams in the league. With Jackson’s ability to execute both in the pocket and on the run, paired with Henry’s size and endurance, the Ravens would be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Conclusion: The Secret Weapon?
Whether the rumors of Derrick Henry joining the Baltimore Ravens are true or not, the idea alone presents a tantalizing possibility. The Ravens have been quietly building a more dynamic offense under Lamar Jackson, but adding a back like Henry could propel them to the next level. If they can combine Jackson’s playmaking ability with Henry’s brute force, the Ravens could soon become one of the most unstoppable forces in the NFL. The rest of the league will undoubtedly be watching closely, as Baltimore might just have the secret weapon it needs to make a Super Bowl run.
