Ravens RB Derrick Henry happy to not be 'center of attention'

The Ravens have big expectations for veteran running back Derrick Henry, whom the team signed to a two-year deal in free agency this offseason.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken believes the two-time NFL rushing yards and touchdowns leader (2019, 2020) can make the best rush offense from a year ago even better.

"I know this: If [Henry] carries it 300 times, we're having a helluva year," Monken said, via the team's website. "It means we're running it a lot. It means we're up in games. We want him to finish, [and] we want him to be the closer."

Henry will also benefit from playing next to quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has led the team in rushing the past five seasons and is the reason why Henry was so attracted to Baltimore.

"It definitely brings a different aspect, because he is a dual-threat quarterback, and he's dangerous with his legs just as he is with his arm," Henry said, via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. "It's going to be fun and a breath of fresh air not being the center of attention, knowing that eyes are going to be on him, as well."

Thanks to Jackson's dual-threat capability, Henry may not see the same workload that he's had in the past in Tennessee.

However, that could be a good thing for the 30-year-old, who's had 300 carries three times in his eight-year NFL career, most recently in 2022.

Monken knows the most important thing is keeping Henry healthy throughout the long season.

"First and foremost, like every player, we want him to make it through the season. It's a long season — 17 games," Monken added. "So, we'll see how that goes. I mean, he's been so durable."

If Henry can stay healthy, he may still be able to put up similar numbers with fewer touches thanks to Jackson now being the center of attention.