Jerry Jones: We Couldn’t Pay Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry, who is training in Dallas during the offseason, was interested in the Cowboys. The Cowboys, who needed a running back this offseason after losing Tony Pollard, were not interested in the free agent.

After Henry threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Ravens’ 28-25 win, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team’s lack of interest had nothing to do with Henry.

“We couldn’t pay Derrick Henry,” Jones said.

Jones laughed when asked, Why not?

“I don’t know. Why can’t you buy a mansion if you live in a different kind of house?” Jones said. “We couldn’t afford it. We can’t make it all fit. It’s that simple.”

The Cowboys didn’t extend receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott until right before the season started, leaving them with little room under the salary cap. So instead of signing Henry to a two-year, $16 million deal (or re-signing Pollard to a three-year, $24 million deal), the Cowboys signed Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year, $3 million deal.

With a running back by committee, the Cowboys began the day 25th in rushing. The Ravens had 274 rushing yards, while the Cowboys, who trailed early, had 51.

Rico Dowdle was the Cowboys’ leading rusher with eight carries for 32 yards.

“I wouldn’t throw the running game and the lack thereof or what we’ve been playing in the last three games at a running back, because it takes a couple of offensive linemen to blow them out; it takes a passing game to keep them honest in the running game. It takes a lot of things to make that work,” Jones said. “This isn’t going to be solved by just jumping in there and getting (Hall of Famer) Jimmy Brown.”