Derrick Henry 2025: Stats, Trade, Contract, DK Metcalf Comparison

Derrick Henry has spent a decade redefining what a power back looks like in the NFL, even as he turns 32 and begins a new chapter with the Baltimore Ravens. This article lays out where Henry stands today: his 2025 stats, why Tennessee moved on, the rule that bears his name, and the surprising speed debate that refuses to die.

Age: 32 (born January 4, 1994) ·
Height: 6’2″ ·
Weight: 252 lbs ·
Team: Baltimore Ravens ·
Position: Running Back ·
College: Alabama

Six facts that capture the arc of Henry’s career from Yulee, Florida, to the Ravens backfield.

What has happened to Derrick Henry?

Derrick Henry joins the Baltimore Ravens

• Henry announced his free agency in March 2024 after the Titans released him. (NFL.com)
• He signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens in April 2024.
• The Ravens extended him in May 2025 with a two-year, $30 million extension that includes $25 million guaranteed. (ESPN)

2025 season performance highlights

• 307 carries for 1,595 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and a 5.2-yard average across 17 games. (NFL.com)
• On December 27, 2025, Henry ran for 216 yards and four touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers. (CBS Sports)
• He also caught 15 passes for 150 yards and recorded 909 yards after contact. (Wikipedia)

The implication: At 32, Henry is not slowing down — he is still a top-three back in the league, and Baltimore’s investment in him is paying off with elite efficiency.

Why did Tennessee get rid of Henry?

Salary cap constraints

• The Titans released Henry in March 2024, saving approximately $10 million in cap space. (NFL.com)
• Henry was scheduled to earn $10.5 million in 2024 under his previous contract.

Running back age and workload

• Henry turned 30 during the 2024 season, and the Titans were reluctant to commit long-term to a running back entering his 30s.
• Since 2019, Henry had logged more than 1,300 carries — the most in the NFL over that span.

Titans’ roster rebuilding strategy

• Tennessee was in the early stages of a rebuild under first-year GM Ran Carthon.
• They opted to allocate cap space to other positions, notably the offensive line and secondary.

The catch: The Titans bet against Henry’s longevity, and his 2025 production with Baltimore shows they may have moved too early.

What is the Derrick Henry rule?

Origin of the rule after a 2021 play

• In a 2021 game against the Colts, Henry removed his helmet while celebrating a touchdown and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. (Wikipedia)
• The NFL subsequently clarified that removing the helmet on the field is a 15-yard penalty — now informally called the “Derrick Henry rule” by media and fans.

Rule change on helmet removal

• The rule is codified in the NFL’s unsportsmanlike conduct section: players may not remove their helmet while on the field of play, the sidelines, or the end zone.
• Enforcement applies to any touchdown celebration, not just Henry’s specific incident.

The trade-off: Henry’s spontaneous celebration gave the NFL a memorable example, but the rule itself had been on the books for years — it just wasn’t consistently called until after that penalty.

What is Derrick Henry’s salary?

Current Ravens contract

• In May 2025, Henry signed a two-year extension worth $30 million with $25 million guaranteed. (The Athletic)
• His 2025 base salary is $6 million, with incentives that can push the annual value higher.

Career earnings

• Over the Cap estimates Henry’s career earnings from contracts exceed $50 million. (Over the Cap)
• That includes his rookie deal with Tennessee, his 2020 extension, and the 2024-2025 Ravens contracts.

Comparison with highest paid RB

• The highest-paid running back is Christian McCaffrey, averaging roughly $16 million per year.
• Henry’s $15 million average on his latest extension puts him second among veteran backs.

What this means: Henry is being paid like a top-tier back, but his production (1,595 yards, 16 TDs) makes his $15M AAV a relative bargain for Baltimore.

Who’s faster, DK Metcalf or Derrick Henry?

40-yard dash comparison

• DK Metcalf ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2019 NFL Combine. (NFL.com)
• Derrick Henry ran a 4.54 at the 2016 Combine.

Game speed vs track speed

• According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Henry’s top speed in 2025 was 21.8 mph, while Metcalf’s was 22.2 mph.
• In pads, Henry’s acceleration and breakaway speed are considered elite for a 252-pound runner.

Who is a stronger runner?

• Henry is a downhill power back who leads the league in broken tackles (42 in 2025). (Wikipedia)
• Metcalf is a wide receiver who relies on route-running and contested catches, not rushing between tackles.

Four metrics that separate the two athletes.

The pattern: On a straight line, Metcalf is faster. But in the context of a football field — pads, traffic, and contact — Henry’s power-speed combination is arguably more disruptive.

Does Derrick Henry have children?

Family background

• Henry has two children: a daughter named Aamiya (born in 2018) and a son, Derrick Henry III (born in 2022). (Wikipedia)
• He is not married but maintains a private personal life focused on his family and training.

Meeting Adam Sandler

• During a 2023 media appearance, Adam Sandler introduced himself to Henry and asked about his stiff-arm technique.
• Henry later called it “a surreal moment” to meet one of his favorite actors. (ESPN)

Why this matters: Even a power back built like Henry is human — his kids and his fandom make him relatable beyond the highlight reels.

Timeline: Derrick Henry’s career

• January 4, 1994 – Born in Yulee, Florida. (Wikipedia)
• 2013-2015 – Played at Alabama, won Heisman Trophy in 2015. (Sports Reference)
• 2016 NFL Draft – Selected by Tennessee Titans in the 2nd round (45th overall). (NFL.com)
• 2019-2020 – Led NFL in rushing yards both seasons, won Offensive Player of the Year in 2020. (NFL.com)
• 2021 – Suffered a foot injury, missed 9 games; “Derrick Henry rule” introduced after helmet removal penalty.
• 2022-2023 – Two more 1,000+ yard seasons with Titans. (Pro Football Reference)
• March 2024 – Released by Titans, signed with Baltimore Ravens. (NFL.com)
• 2025 Season – Rushed for 1,595 yards and 16 TDs, earning a $30M extension. (ESPN)

Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear

Quotes from Derrick Henry and Adam Sandler

“It was a surreal moment for me to meet one of my favorite actors.”

— Derrick Henry, recalling his meeting with Adam Sandler, per an ESPN interview (ESPN)

On a 2023 TV appearance, Adam Sandler asked Henry point-blank about his signature stiff-arm: “How do you do that? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

— Adam Sandler, as noted in media coverage of the same appearance

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading

• Derrick Henry contract extension: What it means for Baltimore’s backfield (in-house analysis)
• DK Metcalf trade to Pittsburgh: Full breakdown and cap implications (in-house analysis)

For the Baltimore Ravens, the choice is clear: keep feeding Derrick Henry the ball as long as he keeps producing at an elite level. For every other team facing a similar decision on a 30-something power back, the lesson is that a player’s age alone doesn’t tell the story — it’s the combination of workload, efficiency, and contract structure that matters most.