Ravens' Derrick Henry Vows to 'Embrace Adversity' After Tough 2025 Season

The veteran running back is motivated to bounce back in 2026 after the Ravens missed the playoffs.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:57am

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Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is looking to rebound in 2026 after a difficult 2025 season that saw the team miss the playoffs. Henry, a four-time Pro Bowler, reflected on the Ravens' gut-wrenching Week 18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that cost them the AFC North title. Despite the tough ending, Henry is embracing the adversity and is motivated to work harder than ever to help the Ravens return to the playoffs next season.

Why it matters

Henry's leadership and performance will be crucial for the Ravens as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign. As one of the NFL's top running backs, his ability to rebound and help the team return to the postseason will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

The details

In an exclusive interview, Henry discussed the physical nature of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, saying the games "always come down to the wire" and push his athleticism to the max. He also spoke about his close friendship with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, describing him as a "great teammate" who loves to "joke" and "have fun." Despite the tough ending to the 2025 season, Henry is determined to put in the work to help the Ravens make a turnaround in 2026.

  • The Ravens' season-ending loss to the Steelers in Week 18 of the 2025 season.
  • Henry joined the Ravens in 2024 on a two-year, $16 million contract after spending the first 8 seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans.

The players

Derrick Henry

A four-time Pro Bowl running back who is entering his 11th NFL season, the last two with the Baltimore Ravens.

Lamar Jackson

The Ravens' starting quarterback and Henry's close friend and teammate.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Ravens' AFC North rival, who defeated them in a crucial Week 18 game that cost Baltimore the division title.

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What they’re saying

“Oh, well, I think in being in Baltimore these last two years, I love the tradition of the Ravens and the Steelers rivalry. The games always come to the water, always close. It's always physical.”

— Derrick Henry

“That's my brother. He's funny. We love to joke. We love to have fun. He's a great teammate. You know, everybody in the organization loves him on the team. But really just, you know, just having fun together, that's the big thing. We know it's a job, but the morale thing about him is that he wants to laugh and enjoy life. And, you know, he's a good person.”

— Derrick Henry

What’s next

The Ravens will look to build on their 2025 disappointment and make a push for the playoffs in 2026, with Derrick Henry leading the way on the ground.

The takeaway

Despite a tough 2025 season, Derrick Henry is embracing the adversity and is determined to put in the work to help the Ravens bounce back in 2026. His leadership and performance will be crucial as the team looks to return to the postseason.