Derrick Henry reveals the surprising change he is enjoying with Ravens

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) listens to the National Anthem before facing the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 11, 2022, in Nashville. Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

After years of being the Tennessee Titans’ focal point on offense, Derrick Henry is embracing a very different situation with the Baltimore Ravens.

Henry has no problem with ceding a bit of the spotlight to quarterback Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. In fact, he suggested it is something of a relief to have a teammate who can take some attention off him and force him to carry less of the load.

“It’s going to be fun and a breath of fresh air not being the center of attention, knowing that eyes are going to be on him, as well,” Henry said Tuesday, via Ryan Mink of the team’s official website.

Though it will require him to cede some of the spotlight, Henry knows that a defense focusing elsewhere can only be good for him. He regularly led the league in carries with Tennessee, including a 2020 season that saw him run the ball 378 times. The Ravens have suggested he will still get a ton of touches if things go according to plan. They might just be more effective carries.

Henry seemed to lose a step in 2023, though he still led the league with 280 carries. Taking some of the pressure off him could make him a bit more effective now that he is on the wrong side of 30.