Jerry Jones: Cowboys didn't pursue Henry due to 'fit,' cap constraints
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said running back Derrick Henry might not have enjoyed the same impact with Dallas that he's having for the Baltimore Ravens.
"In my mind, we're not playing very good football right now at all, and it's beyond whether or not we have Derrick Henry. ... I don't know if he'd be having a career year in our situation," Jones said Tuesday on his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, per The Athletic's Jon Machota, Saad Yousuf, and Alex Andrejev.
The Cowboys had the opportunity to sign the four-time Pro Bowl halfback when he became a free agent this past offseason. Henry leads the NFL with 873 yards and eight touchdowns on 134 attempts.
Jones shared that the running back didn't fit the Cowboys from a schematic standpoint and given the team's salary cap situation.
"Derrick Henry didn't fit because, principally, of managing the (salary) cap ... in anticipation of the players that we were going to sign weeks later on, (and) in anticipation of the players we're going to be signing in the future," Jones said.
Dallas currently has $22 million in salary cap space after signing both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to lucrative extensions, according to Over the Cap. Star pass-rusher Micah Parsons is also eligible for a new contract. Henry signed a two-year, $16-million contract with Baltimore in March.
The 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, who has a home in Dallas, said he was hoping to hear from the Cowboys. Henry recorded five 1,000-yard campaigns over his eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Henry now shares a backfield with reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and has helped bolster the Ravens' rushing attack, which leads the league with 210.9 yards per game this season. Dallas is currently last in the NFL in rushing, averaging 77.2 yards per contest and 3.5 yards per carry.
Dallas opted to bring back a familiar face in Ezekiel Elliott this offseason after he was released by the team in 2023 and played last season with the New England Patriots. The Cowboys' running back group also features Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke.