The tight-end market may not have much consequence this year. After Dalton Schultz agreed to stay with the Texans rather than hit free agency again, the Patriots appear close to keeping Hunter Henry.
New England is working on a Henry deal, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. The sides have moved close to the goal line, with NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo indicating the parties are finalizing an agreement. Henry played out a three-year, $37M Pats deal, and despite the team making wholesale changes, the former Chargers draftee remains in the Pats’ plans.
Garafolo adds that this process is set to produce another three-year deal. While New England will also need help at wide receiver soon, the team is planning to keep its three-year tight end starter as it transitions to another new play-caller. The parties have agreed to terms, and Henry will get to work in new OC Alex Van Pelt‘s scheme.
Although the Patriots’ offense spiraled in the two years following Josh McDaniels‘ departure, Henry was among the few bright spots. The ex-Philip Rivers target amassed 17 touchdown receptions on his previous contract, including nine in Mac Jones‘ rookie season. The Patriots are widely expected to have a new quarterback — perhaps via the No. 3 overall pick — and they will give that to-be-determined player an outlet option in Henry, who will not turn 30 until later this year.
Henry’s yardage totals decreased in seasons with the Pats (603, 509, 419), but that can also be seen as a reflection of what happened to the team’s offense in this span. Even as the yards became harder, Henry still provided the team with a quality red zone option. The 6-foot-5 pass catcher scored six touchdowns last season. Henry totaled back-to-back 600-yard seasons during his final two seasons in Los Angeles, but injuries limited him in each campaign. He shed the injury-prone label with the Pats by missing only three games throughout his first three seasons in Foxborough.
The Schultz and Henry deals come as the Commanders (Zach Ertz) and Dolphins (Jonnu Smith) have made early strikes at the position. This effectively depletes the TE market for teams hoping to add pieces in free agency. This upcoming tight-end draft class also does not match the buzz last year created. Noah Fant is the top remaining option, and because of these early deals, the former first-round pick should do well next week. Gerald Everett, Colby Parkinson, and likely one-and-done Patriot Mike Gesicki are among the other top-receiving tight ends set to be UFAs.
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