Ravens' Derrick Henry contract is unique for one major reason

Derrick Henry is in the prime of his life.

Well, except for the fact that he's an NFL running back.

For that specific role, Henry isn't just old. He's ancient.

Henry turned 31 years old in January. He's an octogenarian in RB years.

And on Wednesday, the Ravens rewarded Henry's 1900-yard 2024 with a two-year extension worth $30 million. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it's the most money ever given to a running back on this side of 30.

MORE: The details on Derrick Henry's contract extension

It's a big gamble by Baltimore.

On the one hand, it's hard to imagine Henry going from 16 TDs and 5.9 yards per carry to a pumpkin just overnight. 

But on the other, there's plenty of evidence of running backs declining quickly when their time comes.

Henry has led the NFL in carries four times, and that doesn't include 2024, when he had the third-highest volume of his career at 325 totes.

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He was revitalized by the backfield partnership with Lamar Jackson, giving defenses a nightmare choice of which runner to key on.

Henry will continue to benefit from that as long as he himself can stay healthy and spry.

They don't make many RBs like the 6-foot-2, 247-pound King Henry, so maybe there's nothing to worry about here.

But the Ravens have gone out on a limb in a way no team ever has for an aging running back.

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