“The Cowboys never called at all,” Derrick Henry revealed to “Mad Dog Radio” back in March 2024, dropping a bombshell that left Dallas fans scratching their heads. Fast forward to September 23, 2024, and Jerry Jones is finally singing a different tune, albeit one that sounds suspiciously like a country song about being broke.

“We couldn’t afford Derrick Henry,” Jones quipped, his trademark grin barely masking the sting of Sunday’s 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Dallas Cowboys owner’s words hung in the air like a poorly thrown pass, leaving fans to wonder if their team had fumbled away a golden opportunity.

Jones’ admission came in the wake of Henry’s bulldozing 151-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Cowboys. The former Tennessee Titans, who now dons Ravens purple, made Dallas’ defense look like a revolving door at a fancy hotel – everyone got through, and it wasn’t pretty.

The saga began in the offseason when Henry, a Dallas resident, expressed interest in joining America’s Team. “That’s where I stay in the offseason. I’m at the back end of my career. That’s a great organization. It would have been a great opportunity,” Henry had said. But Jerry and Co. ghosted the running back. Instead, they opted to bring back Ezekiel Elliott on a budget-friendly one-year, $3 million deal.

When pressed about the decision to pass on Henry, Jones channeled his inner economist. “Why can’t you buy a mansion when you live in a different kind of house?” he mused. Translation: The Cowboys‘ salary cap situation was tighter than a pair of skinny jeans after Thanksgiving dinner. Jones explained, “We couldn’t afford it. We can’t make that all fit. That’s as simple as that.”

Henry’s revenge is a Texas-Sized statement

While Jones was left explaining financial gymnastics, Derrick Henry was busy turning the Cowboys’ defense into his personal obstacle course. The man they call “King Henry” didn’t just run–he reigned supreme on the field he once hoped to call home.

Before the game, Henry revealed to NFL Media’s Jane Slater that he had about 20 people in the stands cheering him on. It seems the running back brought his own personal hype squad to AT&T Stadium, ready to witness his revenge tour firsthand.

And boy, did Henry put on a show. His 26-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter put the Ravens up 28-6, leaving Cowboys fans wondering if they could swap their foam fingers for white flags. It was Henry’s first 100-yard game of the season, and he chose the perfect stage to remind Dallas of what they missed out on.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ backfield has been about as productive as a chocolate teapot. Through three weeks, none of their running backs have cracked 100 yards rushing on the season or scored multiple touchdowns. Their longest run? A whopping 10 yards by Rico Dowdle. Henry’s game-breaking 26-yard TD run must have felt like salt in an open wound for Cowboys faithful. Jones tried to deflect, saying, “I wouldn’t direct the running game and lack thereof or where we’ve been over the last three games to anyone running back at all.” But the numbers don’t lie – the Cowboys entered the game ranked 25th in rushing, while Henry alone out gained their entire ground game 151 to 51.

As the dust settles on this Texas-sized statement game, one thing is clear: Derrick Henry didn’t just run all over the Cowboys–he ran away with their dignity. And while Jerry Jones counts his salary cap pennies, Cowboys fans are left to wonder if their team’s championship window just slammed shut harder than a screen door in a tornado. After all, as Henry put it, “I don’t really know what’s going on over there.” Neither do we, Derrick. Neither do we.