Analyst believes Ravens 'just won next year's Super Bowl'

The Baltimore Ravens came up just short of making the Super Bowl in 2023, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, in the AFC Championship game. 

However, Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless believes the Ravens will finally get over the hump in 2024 thanks to their big free-agent signing on Tuesday.

"The Baltimore Ravens just won next year's Super Bowl. All it took was a guaranteed 9 million for Derrick Henry," Bayless posted on X. "Kirk Cousins got a guaranteed 50 mil a year for each of the first 2 years — 100 mil total. And he's won all of one playoff game! Congrats, Lamar. Your owner gets it."

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Henry is expected to join Baltimore on a two-year, $16 million deal worth up to $20 million, including $9 million fully guaranteed in the first year.

It feels like a steal for a running back who has rushed for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns over the past eight years with Tennessee.

Henry now arguably creates the scariest football backfield with two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Since 2018, no running back has more rush yards than Henry (8,268) while no quarterback has more rush yards than Jackson (5,258).

The Ravens already had the best rush attack in 2023, averaging a league-best 156.5 rush yards per game. Adding the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing yards and rushing touchdowns leader (2019, 2020) will make it more dominant.

Still, adding a 30-year-old running back shouldn't have anyone declaring Baltimore the next Super Bowl champion. Jackson must still prove he can win when it matters with a 2-4 career playoff record.

The Ravens are also slated to lose several key free agents, such as LB Patrick Queen (Steelers), CB Ronald Darby (Jaguars) and S Geno Stone (Bengals). They could still lose WR Odell Beckham Jr., G Kevin Zeitler and DE Jadeveon Clowney.

Baltimore should still be a favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next season, but there is still a lot of offseason left that could help mold the best teams in the league.