Chargers' Hunter Henry will play 2020 season on franchise tag

Hunter Henry will play this season on the franchise tag, as tight end is not expected to reach a long-term deal with the Los Angeles Chargers by the deadline.

Henry was signed to a one-year, $11 million franchise tag but both sides were hopeful that a longer deal could be agreed upon before the season. However, that has not proven to be the case, and Henry will now have another year to prove his worth to the Chargers and the rest of the league.

Since he was drafted by the team in 2016, Henry has been a productive playmaker for the Chargers, as long as he's actually able to get on the field. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed his career so far, as Henry has missed games every season, including sitting out the entire 2018 season.

The Chargers are hopeful that if he can stay healthy, Henry can be among the league's best tight ends. Despite only playing 12 games, Henry had the best year of his career in 2019, ending up with 652 yards and five touchdowns.

If Henry can stay healthy and build on that production, he is set for a huge payday next offseason. And while he was hoping a deal would get done, Henry doesn't sound too worried about coming into the season on the franchise tag.

"I’m not worried about it," Henry said of not reaching a long-term deal with the Chargers. "I’m just going to go out there. I get a chance to play this year and do my thing this year. I’m pretty locked in on what I got ahead of me in the 2020 season. That’s what I’m locked in for, you know, I don’t like to look too far ahead."