Jerry Jones: The Cowboys didn’t pursue Henry because of cap “fit” restrictions

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said running back Derrick Henry might not have had the same impact with Dallas that he is having with the Baltimore Ravens.

“In my opinion, we’re not playing great football right now, and it’s beyond whether or not we have Derrick Henry … I don’t know if he would have a career year in our situation,” he said. Jones on Tuesday in his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, Saad Yousuf and Alex Andrejev.

The Cowboys had a chance to sign the four-time Pro Bowl linebacker when he became a free agent last offseason. Henry leads the NFL with 873 yards and eight touchdowns on 134 attempts.

Jones shared that the running back wasn’t a good fit for the Cowboys from a schematic standpoint and given the team’s salary cap situation.

“Derrick Henry didn’t fit because, primarily, to manage the (salary) cap … in anticipation of the players we were going to sign weeks later, (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. Micah Parsons, the star running back, 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 expected to hear from the Cowboys. Henry recorded five 1,000-yard campaigns during 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.