The New England Patriots have been perhaps the most active team this offseason as they try to find their way in the aftermath of the Tom Brady era. Last season, the Pats finished 7-9, which was good for third place in a growingly competitive AFC East.
After re-signing Cam Newton to a one-year deal, acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith, adding wideout Kendrick Bourne, trading for offensive lineman Trent Brown, and signing Nelson Agholor, the Patriots are still spending money to try and compete with a Buffalo Bills team that is primed for success.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, New England is signing former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, including $25 million guaranteed.
The 26-year-old tight end played outstandingly well with rookie quarterback Justin Herbert in 2020. Henry produced a career-high 60 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has always utilized a two-tight-end approach, so its no surprise that following the signing of Smith, the Patriots went out and grabbed Henry. Don’t forget that this is the same coach that often put Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez on the field at the same time.
Now coach Belichick will have Henry and Smith to help address a position that has been below league average since Gronkowski left the Patriots in 2018. No other team in the NFL has had lower pass-catching production from tight ends over the past two seasons.
Henry will join a New England squad that has undergone a complete overhaul at the playmaking positions.
Henry has not played a full season in his NFL career yet and missed the final two games of the 2020 season after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He also missed the entire 2018 regular season after tearing an ACL. Then in 2019, the tight end missed four games after suffering a tibial plateau fracture in a Week 1 victory over the Colts.
After being selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2016 draft, Henry has produced 196 receptions for 2,322 yards and 21 touchdowns in his five NFL seasons.
