Derrick Henry Clarifies Cowboys Comments: Ravens Were 'Always My No. 1 Option'

The Dallas Cowboys made sense for Derrick Henry as an offseason destination seeing how he lives in the city and the NFC East team could use some running back help after losing Tony Pollard, but the four-time Pro Bowler ended up joining the Baltimore Ravens.

And he clarified that was always his top choice during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show:

"For the record, Baltimore was always my No. 1 option," Henry said. "That's always where I wanted to go. And like I said, I know the trade talks, it was almost going to happen, but I didn't know once free agency started if they still felt the same until I talked to my agent to see what was really going on. And I know, like you said, the Cowboys lost (Tony) Pollard, so I didn't know if they're going to be looking for a running back.

"I live here in the offseason, I've been training here, living here for a while, so I just thought it made sense, and you know, I thought there'd be talks. But they never really reached out. And you know, like I said, everything happens for a reason, I just pray to God to put me in the place where I'm meant to be, and Baltimore is that spot. And I'm happy and I'm excited for the opportunity. But the Cowboys never reached out, and it's all good. At the end of the day, no hard feelings."

Those comments came after Henry's appearance on The Pivot podcast, where he said that Dallas could have been a "perfect situation" had the team reached out (h/t Grant Gordon of NFL.com).

Cowboys fans surely won't want to hear the team never reached out, although future contracts for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons were undoubtedly on the front office's mind when it largely opted out of free agency this offseason.

As for the Ravens, the combination of Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson is terrifying for opposing defenses.

Jackson is so quick that even a moment's hesitation from linebackers or defensive ends who are worried about Henry can create gaps to exploit, and the running back can take full advantage of defenses that don't stack the box out of concern about the aerial attack.

The Ravens reached the AFC Championship Game last season and will surely look to take the next step with their new dynamic backfield duo.