Dallas Cowboys fans have become more and more disgusted with each dominant game that Derrick Henry has this season, but Jerry Jones believes many people are viewing the situation the wrong way.
Jones said last month that the Cowboys did not sign Henry in free agency this offseason because they could not afford the All-Pro running back. During his weekly appearance on 105.3 The Fan Tuesday, Jones reiterated that Dallas did not have the salary cap space needed to sign Henry while also paying other key players.
Jones also seemed to hint at a new reason for passing on Henry — the Cowboys’ offensive scheme.
“Derrick Henry is having a career year. I don’t know if he’d be having that career year in our situation, and that’s really something that you really do have to look at,” Jones said. “Because if he had not had as many carries (like our running backs), he certainly probably wouldn’t have obtained the level of impact he’s had. He’s a real good complement to the type of offense they run. We don’t run that type of offense at all.”
#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones today on not signing Derrick Henry, via @1053thefan: “Derrick is having a career year. I don’t know if he’d be having a career year in our situation… We don’t run that type of offense at all… Derrick didn’t fit, principally due to managing the cap.” pic.twitter.com/q8QPMB0zRd
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2024
Jones is probably right that Henry would not have had 873 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns through seven games with the Cowboys. Henry has proven to be a perfect fit for the Ravens and their run-first offense, but Dallas would almost certainly be in a better spot right now had they signed Henry. Both of those things can be true, even if Jones only wants to acknowledge the former.
Henry trains in Dallas and wanted to be drafted by the Cowboys. That is just one reason why many assumed Jones and company would make a run at the former Alabama star during the offseason, but it never happened.
Even Cowboys legend Troy Aikman on Monday night seemed to take a subtle jab at his former team over not signing Henry.
