Derrick Henry joining Ravens; Vikings adding Darnold and Aaron Jones
Longtime Tennessee Titans power back Derrick Henry is signing a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, media outlets reported Tuesday.
The $16 million deal can be worth up to $20 million, including $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year with the Ravens, per reports.
Henry, 30, was named to his fourth Pro Bowl in five years last season with the Titans. He rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns — his fifth season of more than 1,000 yards, including 2,027 in 2020 when he was named a first-team All-Pro.
He was drafted by the Titans in the second round out of Alabama in 2016.
The Ravens had Henry on their radar last season, but their attempts to acquire him before the trade deadline were unsuccessful. Now, Henry will join two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson on a team that led the league with 2,661 yards rushing last season.
The addition of Henry for Baltimore came a day after Gus Edwards agreed to a reported twoyear, $7 million deal with
the Los Angeles Chargers. Fellow running back J.K. Dobbins also is a free agent.
As for the Titans, they agreed to a three-year contract with former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard on Monday.
Vikings add Darnold, Aaron Jones: The Vikings are giving quarterback Sam Darnold a one-year, $10 million contract and also adding former Green Bay running back Aaron Jones as the franchise moves on from quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Jones, released Monday, agreed to a $7 million contract for 2024, according to reports.
Cousins agreed to a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta on Monday. Cousins, who turns 36 in August, and the Vikings discussed his return but the price range escalated beyond the franchise’s comfort zone.
Jones and the Packers split following the pending signing of free agent running back Josh Jacobs. The former Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick is set to sign a four-year, $48 million deal to replace Jones in Green Bay.
With 5,940 rushing yards, Jones ranks third in Packers history. His cap number for 2024 would have been $17.5 million with Green Bay after missing six games due to injuries last season.
The Vikings released running back Alexander Mattison before free agency began.
In Darnold, the Vikings add an experienced starter looking to prove he’s deserving of that role again after a one-year stint as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Darnold, drafted No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018, will be playing for a fourth NFL team in five seasons. Darnold, 26, was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
ELSEWHERE
Bears: A trade market for quarterback Justin Fields has yet to develop, ESPN reported, as most teams view the 2021 firstround pick as a backup. Fields was widely expected to be in play for Atlanta or Pittsburgh, but they signed Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson, respectively. Chicago holds a pair of top-10 draft picks — including No. 1 overall — and is expected to select Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams.
Bengals: Free agent tight end Mike Gesicki agreed to sign with Cincinnati, he confirmed on X. Sources said he agreed to a one-year, $3.25 million contract. Gesicki, who played for the Dolphins in 2018-22, had 29 catches for 244 yards and two scores for New England last season.
Commanders: Free agent running back Austin Ekeler agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $5.43 million. Ekeler, 28, has spent his sevenseason career with the Chargers. In Washington, he’ll reunite with run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, former head coach of the Chargers (2017-20) . ... The Commanders are signing journeyman Marcus Mariota to a one-year contract to be a back-up to Sam Howell and a rookie QB to be determined. Mariota was with Philadelphia last season.
Giants: New York acquired edge rusher
Brian Burns in a trade with Carolina. Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler, will be signing a five-year deal worth up to $150 million ($87.5 million guaranteed).
Jets: New York, set to move on from Zach Wilson as backup quarterback, agreed to a contract with free agent Tyrod Taylor, 34. He’ll make up to $18 million on a twoyear deal to back up Aaron Rodgers. Taylor last season played for the Giants, appearing in 11 games and going 2-3 as a starter.
Steelers:Linebacker Patrick Queen, who spent his first four seasons with the Ravens, is joining Pittsburgh on a three-year, $41 million contract,
ESPN reported. Queen,
24, is coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign. He compiled a career-high
133 tackles along with 31⁄2 sacks, six quarterback hits, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception.
Texans: Defensive end Dylan Horton announced that his Hodgkin’s lymphoma is in remission. He was diagnosed Dec. 1 of last year, three months into his rookie season. He was moved onto the reserve/ non-football illness list. Horton got into 10 games last season, making 13 tackles and recovering a fumble.