Derrick Henry is ‘committed’ to Ravens offseason program; determined to win a Super Bowl

The two-time All-Pro remains dedicated to his craft and wants to help his new team ‘hold that trophy up at the end of the year.’

There is no questioning Derrick Henry’s dedication to his craft or maintaining his Adonis-like physique. The four-time Pro Bowl running back is a legendary workout warrior and every time he is filmed in the gym or on a field training, the videos go viral.

As one of the newest Baltimore Ravens and the most notable addition this offseason, his presence at the start of the team’s voluntary offseason workouts is impossible to ignore and hard not to admire for most of his new teammates and other members of the organization.

If Henry opted to not attend this portion of the offseason program and continue training on his own to get ready for training camp, it would be crickets. After all, he is a two-time league rushing champion who is one of the most physically imposing players in the sport and has been the most productive rusher in the league since 2018.

“He attacks everything with such a high level of intent – intent with tenacity. That’s why he’s Derrick Henry,” Ravens strength and conditioning coordinator Scott Elliott said Wednesday. “That’s why what we’re going to help him do is keep that same trajectory. He’s had one heck of a career, [and] our goal is that it gets even better from here. [It’s] not [about] age, not years of service – none of that. He keeps getting better and better, and it’s his work ethic.”

Henry reported along with the majority of the Ravens’ most prominent players earlier this week and remains in phenomenal shape. In his first media appearance since his introductory press conference last month, he told reporters on Wednesday just how much being in the building and beginning both the bonding and grinding process with his new teammates mean to him.

“It’s been fun getting to know everybody, putting the work in, something I love to do,” Henry said. “I’m the new guy on the block. I wanted to make sure that I show up, show my teammates and this organization that I’m here, I’m committed.”

The only time Henry and Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson shared the same backfield prior to his joining the team was at the 2019 Pro Bowl. He is especially excited for the chance to play alongside the two-time league MVP who is the best and most accomplished signal caller he has ever played with by far during his first eight years in the league.

“Lamar’s a cool guy,” Henry said. “You can tell he’s a great leader by how everybody flocks to him. He has great energy as well. I’ve only been around him for a little bit, but he seems like a great guy. His body of work speaks for itself.”

Two-time All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith wasn’t on the vaunted 2019 Ravens’ defense which Henry steamrolled in a massive divisional round upset. However, he knows just how much of a threat the chiseled 6-foot-3 and 247-pound bruiser presents every time he steps on the field.

“I think it’s going to make us stick to what we do, having a guy like him,” Smith said. “Anytime you need a play with him and Lamar back there, I think it’s going to be crucial. It’s going to open up a lot for everyone. It’s going to be scary.

In a similar fashion to how new outside veteran free agents who join the Ravens rejoice when realizing they no longer have to worry about trying to corral Jackson in a live game for the time being, Smith is relieved that the only time he and Henry might have to meet in the hole is practice.

“I told a couple of my friends in the offseason, maybe I’ll have to get some popcorn on the sidelines while I’m watching those guys go to work,” Smith said. “I think it’s a great piece added to us, and I think it’s going to help us get to where we want to be.”

Despite being 30 years old, Henry is showing no signs of age or attrition. In his final season with the Tennessee Titans last year, he still managed to finish second in the league in rushing yards, behind one arguably the worst blocking unit when it came to both run and pass blocking.

While he already boasts a Hall of Fame caliber resume with all the individual accolades he has racked up in less than a decade in the NFL, Henry is determined to achieve the ultimate team milestone by becoming immortalized as a Super Bowl champion.

“I just love playing this game and I’m going to continue to play until I feel my time is up, as long as God will allow to play at a high level,” Henry said. “I really want to hold that trophy up at the end of the year. But it starts right now putting the work in.”