It was a profitable first season in Baltimore for Derrick Henry. Making NFL history has become second nature for the former Alabama Heisman Trophy winner.
Earlier in the season, Henry eclipsed both 100 rushing touchdowns for his career and 10,000 career rushing yards. His pairing with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson has been just as dynamic as many thought. At least for those who didn't think Henry was washed when the Titans let him leave in free agency this past offseason.
Henry finished his first regular season with the Ravens on Saturday night as Baltimore blew out the Browns to clinch the AFC North title. In the win, Henry made more NFL history.
Henry carried the ball 20 times for 138 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win. That allowed him to finish the regular season with 1,921 rushing yards. That makes Henry the first player in NFL history to have two seasons of 1,900+ rushing yards. Henry broke 2,000 rushing yards with the Titans in 2020.
Henry also broke Tiki Barber's record for the most rushing yards ever for a player over 30 years old.
Henry is also the first running back in NFL history to rush for 1500 yards and score 15+ touchdowns in three separate seasons.
With his two rushing touchdowns, Henry now has 106 for his career, which is tied with Jim Brown for the 6th most in NFL history. He needs five rushing touchdowns next season to move past Walter Payton and into the Top 5. He's got a good chance of getting into the top three, but would likely need four or five more really productive seasons to catch either LaDanian Tomlinson for 2nd or Emmitt Smith for first.
Another 1,000-yard season next year will catapult Henry into the Top 10 in NFL history in rushing yards.
Henry is also the first running back in NFL history to rush for 1500 yards and score 15+ touchdowns in three separate seasons.
When Henry's career is finally over, and I think he's got several more highly productive seasons left in him, a ticket to Canton and a gold jacket will be waiting for him.