The Baltimore Ravens entered the offseason in a tough spot.
They would have a plethora of big-name players testing out free agency and not the most cap space in the league.
However, GM Eric DeCosta has done an outstanding job of managing the money and the personnel.
He showed that again by signing star RB Derrick Henry to a two-year deal worth $16 million.
The deal will only give the former Tennesee Titans star $9 million guaranteed, and there’s no guaranteed money beyond this season.
That’s why sports analyst Skip Bayless called this move ‘a steal of a deal’ for the Ravens.
$9 million guaranteed is nothing in today’s market. This is a steal of a deal. https://t.co/myZFkidVkc
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 13, 2024
He’s right on point.
Running backs usually decline sooner and faster than other players, and Henry is 30 years old, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a star anymore.
Coming off a down year by his standards and playing in a position that’s less valued by the year, the Ravens were able to get him on a team-friendly contract.
The Alabama product is a two-time NFL rushing leader and four-time Pro Bowler, and he’ll give John Harbaugh’s team a physical presence they haven’t had with their running back-by-committee approach.
His presence there will do wonders for Lamar Jackson, who already has plenty of miles under his belt and won’t need to do that much heavy lifting with his feet.
And if things don’t work out, then this was just a failed one-year experiment with no big financial implications for them in the future, so it was, indeed, a steal of a deal for Baltimore.
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Skip Bayless Predicts Which Team Will Win Super Bowl Next Season