Derrick Henry snubbed of exclusive club despite dominant season

The Madden 99 Club is a yearly tradition that honors several of the NFL’s best players as some of the best players in the upcoming game. Those given the prestigious rating are given a 99 chain to commemorate their achievement. For Madden 26, the 99 ratings were finally revealed, and seven superstars earned the honor.

The group includes Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, along with Philadelphia Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Lane Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. 

While you can make the case for all those players being deserving of the club, one player sticks out as a major snub: Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Sure, Barkley had the better season of the running backs, but with two wideouts and two quarterbacks making it, there should not have been anything holding Henry back from joining the rest. His 2024 campaign proved that and then some.

Derrick Henry deserved to be a 99

The 2020 Offensive Player of the Year was near the top of the league in nearly every rushing category last season. He finished second in rushing yards with 1,921, tied for first in touchdowns with 16, second in yards per game at 113, and even showed off his speed with the second-longest run for 87 yards. In any other year, all of those numbers are league-leading, but Barkley’s campaign in a spectacular Eagles offense topped Henry’s efforts in most categories.

Regardless, Barkley’s season should not overshadow Henry’s. The 31-year-old had the most efficient season of his career with 5.9 yards per attempt, and although many believed he was starting to slow down, he looked as fresh as ever. He is showing no signs of slowing down.

Baltimore rewarded Henry for his efforts with a new contract. The two parties agreed to a two-year $30 million extension back in May, so Baltimore has no doubts about his production going into his age 31 season. While most backs slow down at this point in their career, it looks like Henry continues to get better.

The five-time Pro Bowler will likely eventually become a 99 at some point during his 2025 campaign. Baltimore’s offense only got stronger, and its running game is about to become even more dynamic with Keaton Mitchell finally returning to 100 percent. Still, Henry will lead Baltimore’s offensive attack and has 2,000 yards in mind.

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