Ravens' Derrick Henry invites doubters to 'keep watching' - ESPN

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Only three questions into his introductory news conference with the Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Henry addressed the biggest concern about his future.

What was the star running back's response to those who say his best days are behind him?

«Tell them to keep watching,» Henry said Thursday. «People always going to have something to say — always going to have opinions. I'm just ready to work, ready to get things started and do my best to help this organization.»

One of the NFL's most dominant runners over the last eight seasons, Henry officially signed his two-year, $16 million contract with the Ravens. He's finished with 1,000 yards rushing and double-digit touchdowns the last two seasons, but he turned 30 in January — an age when running backs can experience a decline in play.

In the Super Bowl era, there have been 26 running backs who have recorded 1,000-yard rushing seasons after turning 30, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Of those 26 backs, 13 of them gained over 1,000 yards rushing multiple times in their 30s.

The Ravens expressed confidence in Henry, who was their first addition in free agency this year.

«He's kind of a unicorn, to be honest,» Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said. «It's a combination of speed, power, durability.»

Over the last five seasons, Henry has showed that speed and power, leading running backs in most rushing yards after first contact and most touches reaching at least 20 miles per hour. His 3,527 yards rushing after first contact are 932 more than any other running back since 2019, and his 22 touches of reaching at least 20 mph are more than Saquon Barkley (18) and Jonathan Taylor (17) over that span.

Henry has also proven to be one of the most dependable running