Derrick Henry reveals when he will walk away from NFL with contract up in 2027

Age-defying All-Pro Derrick Henry produced another incredible campaign in a lost season for the Baltimore Ravens.

Running backs tend to have shorter careers than most positions because of the physical toll, taking heavy hits on every play they are involved in.

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So at 32, it’s no surprise that Henry has been asked questions about his plans after football.

“I don’t try to enter another season thinking about retiring and have that on my mind,” Henry said via The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec.

“That’s not even my mindset. My mindset is: How can I get better, be the best I can be so we can be the best team we can be?

“But no, I haven’t thought about retirement at all.”

Henry rushed for 1,595 yards with 16 touchdowns in 2025, but Baltimore finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was unrecognisable from the world-class dual-threat quarterback that he has been since entering the league.

This poor campaign also led to the dismissal of head coach John Harbaugh, who is now leading the New York Giants in the Big Apple.

He did however, indicate what it would take in order for him to step away from the NFL indefinitely.

“Some days you feel better than other days,” Henry added.

“But if you want to be the best, you’ve got to overcome it. I love the game. Once I feel that love is gone, I’ll hang it up.”

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Across his 11-year-career, predominantly with the Tennessee Titans, Henry has rushed for 13,018 yards and 122 touchdowns in 153 games.

Henry joined Baltimore on a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024, and has rushed for over 3,500 yards.

New Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is blessed with the dual-threat of Jackson, but also Henry in the backfield.

Doyle was the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears last year, and they were ranked third in rushing as well.

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Doyle’s run-heavy scheme in Chicago proved he knows how to maximize a backfield, making his arrival in Baltimore a ideal match for a runner of Henry’s caliber.

For a franchise eager to erase the bitter taste of 2025, Henry remains the heartbeat of their offense.

Age catching up to others in his position, but as long as ‘King Henry’ continues to shatter the aging curve, Baltimore’s postseason ambitions will run directly through him.