Baltimore Ravens superstar running back Derrick Henry continues to defy aging curves, but he has zero interest in entertaining history lessons right now. Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith raised eyebrows this week when he claimed Henry has a legitimate shot to break his legendary all-time NFL rushing record of 18,355 yards. Yet when reporters pressed Henry on the ringing endorsement, he shut down the noise.

“I’m not focused on breaking records. I’m focused on New Orleans,” Henry said ahead of Baltimore’s Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Ravens RB Derrick Henry was asked about Emmitt Smith saying Henry has a chance to break his NFL rushing record.

“I’m not focused on breaking records. I’m focused on New Orleans,” Henry said. pic.twitter.com/eCsjy1Wat0

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) September 17, 2026

That singular mindset is precisely why the 32-year-old phenom keeps dominating while most running backs slow down. Henry opened his 2026 campaign with a monster Week 1 performance against the Indianapolis Colts, trampling the defense for 144 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries in a 41-23 victory. That performance pushed his career total to 13,162 rushing yards, cementing his spot at 10th on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaderboards.

Smith, who built his iconic legacy with the Dallas Cowboys, believes Henry possesses the rare physical durability needed to conquer the summit. The Hall of Famer noted that Henry previously broke his Florida high school rushing record and praised how well the Baltimore star maintains his body. Still, Henry needs another 5,193 yards to tie Smith, a mountain that requires roughly four more seasons of high-level production.

While commentators debate whether Henry can maintain this absurd pace deep into his 30s, the veteran remains locked on the immediate task. The Baltimore offense flows directly through his physical running style, and securing a win over New Orleans matters far more to him than chasing legacy milestones. If history happens along the way, great, but King Henry is only hunting the Saints right now.