‘First-Ballot Hall of Famer:’ Steelers Heap Praise on Ravens RB Derrick Henry

PITTSBURGH — There are several new faces joining the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens rivalry, but there may not be any more significant than running back Derrick Henry. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is quite familiar with Henry, who he coached for five years (2016-20) in Tennessee, but not enough to know how to stop him.

“I don’t know if Derrick has one,” Smith said when asked about Henry’s Achilles heel. “It’s strange seeing, watching some of the cut-ups and seeing the team meetings, it’s a little weird for me to see him in purple. Just because some of the big matchups we had, nothing like the rivalry obviously, going into Sunday with the history of Steelers and Ravens. We had some battles when I was in Tennessee. It’s a bit strange to see him in purple. Obviously he’s the enemy on Sunday, but it was a privilege to coach him. He should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Of all the great players, I don’t know of an Achilles heel for Derrick.”

Henry is arguably playing the best football of his nine-year NFL career. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, he has rushed for a league-leading 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns.

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What may be most impressive about the 30-year-old, though, is his home-run speed at nearly 250 pounds. Smith simply doesn’t have an answer for it.

“I don’t think, in the recent history of the game, I’ve seen anybody with some of the stats he’s had,” he said. “I believe — fact check me, but I believe he’s the only player in the history of football to run for 2,000 yards in high school, college, and the NFL, which is rare. I wish I had an answer for you, but he’s definitely a special player.”

Smith wasn’t the only Steeler to offer Henry some much-deserved respect. Running back Najee Harris also revealed he has been studying Henry’s game to better his own.

“I study everybody, but Derrick, of course,” he said. “I have a relationship with Derrick. … He’s having a great year, as always.”

Henry and Harris prove that Alabama has a great track record of developing NFL-caliber running backs. Harris is also on pace to have the best season of his NFL career with 645 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

RELATED: Najee Harris Sets Career-Best Mark vs. Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris in a game against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 10, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

While some may believe Harris wants to prove to be the better Alabama running back on Sunday, he is solely focused on helping the Steelers win their fifth straight game to remain atop the AFC North.

“As long as we win,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, that’s what matters.”