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These days, it’s not uncommon for players from older generations to be critical of their younger cohorts carrying the torch for their sports.
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Whether it’s centered around jealousy of the ridiculous amounts of money they make compared to previous generations or valid criticisms about their love of the game, fans have gotten used to retired players taking shots at current superstars.
But as current NFL superstar and future first-ballot Hall of Famer Derrick Henry inches closer to his all-time rushing record, former Dallas Cowboys all-time great Emmitt Smith seems to be cheering for his younger counterpart to break what has long been considered to be one of football’s most unbreakable records.
Smith accumulated 18,355 rushing yards across his 15 years in the league before he retired at 36 in 2004. That was nearly 2,000 yards more than Walter Payton, perhaps the greatest running back of all time, ran for during his career.
But while Henry is within striking distance, there are a number of hurdles he must overcome if he hopes to top the list before he calls it quits on his illustrious career.
Derrick Henry’s Path To 18,000 Yards
Derrick Henry spent the first eight years of his career with the Tennessee Titans, and after a couple of pedestrian seasons in his rookie and sophomore years where he rushed for just 490 and 744 yards, respectively, Henry took off like a rocket in his third season and hasn’t returned to orbit since.
His first 1,000 yard season came in 2018, but he increased his production by 50% in season four when he rushed for 1,540 yards. But he was just getting started.
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The next season he joined the most exclusive running back club around: the 2,000 yard club. Henry rushed for 2,027 yards in 2020 while piling up 17 touchdowns. Since those first two seasons, the only year Henry didn’t crack 1,000 yards was the year he lost 8 games to injury. But even during that 2021 season, Henry somehow compiled 937 yards in eight games.
While his Titans tenure was prolific, the 32-year old back has been able to turn back the clock during his 2+ seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Since joining the Ravens, Henry has led the NFL with 3,660 yards rushing, while averaging 104.6 yards per game.
Sharing the backfield with a dual-threat quarterback like Lamar Jackson has undoubtedly benefited Henry and could be the X-factor that pushes him to the top of the all-time list.
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Emmitt Smith Believes in Derrick Henry’s Greatness
Listen: At 6´2¨ and 252, Derrick Henry is built like a linebacker with running back speed. It’s a deadly combination that Emmitt Smith says will help Henry on his journey to immortality.
¨Oh yeah, I think it’s possible,” Smith said in a recent interview when asked if Henry could pass him, according to ESPN. “Derrick Henry is a bigger back. He takes great care of his body. He’s in great shape.”
Henry needs to gain 5,193 more yards to surpass Smith, meaning he needs at least four more seasons of being a top-10 back to get there.
Smith was 33 when he took the all-time lead from Payton in 2002. He added a couple thousand more yards over the next two seasons for good measure, before retiring in 2024.
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But Smith had an advantage during his time: The NFL was still running back-centered during his era. Today, the importance of running backs has been downgraded in favor of more emphasis on the passing game. But Henry has defied that trend every year because you’d have to be a fool not to use a battering ram that has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over his career.
If he does surpass Smith, it won’t be the first time Henry has broken one of his records.
“Derrick Henry broke my state high school record,” Smith said. “So I believe he could do it again.”
He’s already started his current campaign on the right foot after rushing for 144 yards and three touchdowns in the Ravens’ Week 1 win over the Colts. He needs to average 1,300 per season over the next four to pass Smith by his 36th birthday.
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This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 4:03 PM.