Hunter Henry's Future

[TommyD4207]

Basically on a one year non-guaranteed deal for around $8M. I'm sure he might have interest in an extension and some more guarantees. Guessing they will get one done at some point, probably mid-season, for around the same value AAV ($8-9M a year), maybe another 2 or 3 years. Drake really likes him, so it makes sense to keep him around for a bit longer and lets them give Raridon a longer runway for development. They did not get to see Hill at all this year either, so keeping Henry a little longer helps insure the position instead of going into 2027 just hoping Hill is productive.

Im fine with him coming back. Im just not going to rush and wait outside of his house trying to give him a contract extension.

 

[rkarp1]

I would like to see a situation where Henry is resigned as the back up TE. Raridon makes enough progress to emerge as the top TE option next season, and a solid #3 is developed over the course of this season. Bring back Britt on a make good deal to compete as well next season.
Would Henry do that?

 

[n1997y]

I would like to see a situation where Henry is resigned as the back up TE. Raridon makes enough progress to emerge as the top TE option next season, and a solid #3 is developed over the course of this season. Bring back Britt on a make good deal to compete as well next season.
Would Henry do that?

Any player on the descending arc phase of their career is going to do whatever they can and whatever it takes to stay in the game at the highest level they can, until they retire.

Henry would sign to compete for playing time. Forget “backup TE” as a role definition. He’ll split playing time, the way Hooper did. How the split goes depends on how he’s playing, how the other TEs are playing, and what particular characteristics they bring and are needed.

Remember, Hill will be back in the mix next season. I was hopeful he would grow into a bigger role this season, but that was derailed by his injury. Hopefully he’ll be able to come back from it and contribute.

EDIT to add, doesn’t Britt play LB? Or is there someone I missed?

 

[Joey007]

Big thing will be to just see how Raridon develops this year and get a feel for what his ceiling could be.

Otherwise, the market elsewhere at TE in FA in 2027 would be Tucker Kraft and Sam Laporta as younger potential upgrades, and lateral move types like Dallas Goedert and TJ Hockenson.

I think you evaluate both situations and if neither are feasible and Hunter hasn’t lost a step, bring him back next year in a short term deal.

 

[Joey007]

I would like to see a situation where Henry is resigned as the back up TE. Raridon makes enough progress to emerge as the top TE option next season, and a solid #3 is developed over the course of this season. Bring back Britt on a make good deal to compete as well next season.
Would Henry do that?

Only if his play has clearly declined.

If he plays like he did last year, he’ll still earn a TE1 gig somewhere. Wouldn’t hate 2027 being the year it transitions from Henry starting out as TE1 and Raridon slowly takes him over by the years end, though.

 

[Water Boy]

In the coming years the Pats will have to make some tough choices roster-wise. Wont be as much room for solid middle class salaries.

 

[Joey007]

In the coming years the Pats will have to make some tough choices roster-wise. Wont be as much room for solid middle class salaries.

This year and next year are the major window while Drake’s contract remains cheap. Even next year will likely have Gonzo’s deal taking more space.

 

[n1997y]

In the coming years the Pats will have to make some tough choices roster-wise. Wont be as much room for solid middle class salaries.

We need to resign ourselves to expecting that a lot of good players will go elsewhere at the end of their rookie contracts because we won’t be able to afford them all.

It’s going to be hard for the rookies and middle class players to stick if they’re not on top of their game. Most rookies may end up going to the ps. There will probably be a lot of churn among the 2 to 3 year experience players. A lot of binkies will not stick around very long.

 

[Water Boy]

Actions have consequences when you sign a CB for $35 million plus per year.

We have to be an excellent draft and develop team going forward.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Basically on a one year non-guaranteed deal for around $8M. I'm sure he might have interest in an extension and some more guarantees. Guessing they will get one done at some point, probably mid-season, for around the same value AAV ($8-9M a year), maybe another 2 or 3 years. Drake really likes him, so it makes sense to keep him around for a bit longer and lets them give Raridon a longer runway for development. They did not get to see Hill at all this year either, so keeping Henry a little longer helps insure the position instead of going into 2027 just hoping Hill is productive.

I think he's essentially guaranteed his $8.5 million this year - I suppose they could cut him before the beginning of the season but I don't see that happening. If they were making a move to bring in a new TE they would have done so awhile ago as he did have an "out" in his contract after last season.

Being in camp he probably has injury insurance on what technically won't be guaranteed until after the first game of the season.

Still, at $8.5 million in cash and a cap hit of over $11 million there's some cap savings to be had with more guaranteed this year and a low salary next season that would eliminate the threat of being cut in 2027, depending on how the other extensions work out.

I'd think they'd be watching him in camp to see if he looks like he has another year in the tank at this juncture.

 

[Pape]

Actions have consequences when you sign a CB for $35 million plus per year.

We have to be an excellent draft and develop team going forward.

it will be interesting to see how they balance bringing in high value free agents and the re-signing of the two big (upcoming) free agents Gonzo & Maye...

 

[rkarp1]

Any player on the descending arc phase of their career is going to do whatever they can and whatever it takes to stay in the game at the highest level they can, until they retire.

Henry would sign to compete for playing time. Forget “backup TE” as a role definition. He’ll split playing time, the way Hooper did. How the split goes depends on how he’s playing, how the other TEs are playing, and what particular characteristics they bring and are needed.

Remember, Hill will be back in the mix next season. I was hopeful he would grow into a bigger role this season, but that was derailed by his injury. Hopefully he’ll be able to come back from it and contribute.

EDIT to add, doesn’t Britt play LB? Or is there someone I missed?

yes, agree
could Raridon get to the point of commending 50% of the offensive snaps in 2027?
That would have Henry in that 35-40% area, with a 3rd TE option in that 10-15%/and also plays ST

Yes, clearly I meant Hill and not Britt

 

[doesntmatter1]

Hunter is undeniably a great receiver but he is a below average blocker. Last season was the first time Henry wasn't 100% reliable with some uncharacteristic drops. I could easily see this as his last season if he declines whatsoever.

 

[Thelonious]

Hunter is a really good TE and a terrific fella and teammate, but as a football player his future is distinctly shorter than his past, which in a line of work in which ability trumps all (Rooney Rule aside) is the most salient fact of the matter. So it goes.

 

[VrabelJr]

The problem with Henry is that good defenses can completely shut him down with a middling LB and he's a below average blocker. He's good for the locker room though. I hope we find an upgrade over him this off season whether through FA or the draft. Maybe it's Raridon. We'll see.

 

[mgteich]

I would like to see a situation where Henry is resigned as the back up TE. Raridon makes enough progress to emerge as the top TE option next season, and a solid #3 is developed over the course of this season. Bring back Britt on a make good deal to compete as well next season.
Would Henry do that?

He shouldn't. He is a starting TE in this league. If the patriots don't think that to be the case, he should sign elsewhere.

 

[mgteich]

Hunter is a really good TE and a terrific fella and teammate, but as a football player his future is distinctly shorter than his past, which in a line of work in which ability trumps all (Rooney Rule aside) is the most salient fact of the matter. So it goes.

I understand the board bias againt veterans in the back half of their careers.

However, Hunter will get a good 2-3 year contract to start for someone.

 

[rkarp1]

He shouldn't. He is a starting TE in this league. If the patriots don't think that to be the case, he should sign elsewhere.

I question it
I also question his desire to move on for a year, maybe 2
he has made $75m over his career.
he appears to like living here
he could resign a 2 year deal for $10m if/when Raridon is ready to assume 40-60% of the positional snaps, Henry can still contribute greatly, playing the balance of the snaps

 

[mgteich]

I question it
I also question his desire to move on for a year, maybe 2
he has made $75m over his career.
he appears to like living here
he could resign a 2 year deal for $10m if/when Raridon is ready to assume 40-60% of the positional snaps, Henry can still contribute greatly, playing the balance of the snaps

Are you suggesting $10M AAV or a silly $10M for 2 years?

 

[rkarp1]

This scenario you state would likely have Henry start as #1 and to be eventually replaced as the #1.

Yes, perhaps a contract could be worked out if you think that a backup TE is worth $10M AAV. A $10M signing bonus would do it plus say 4 and 6 million salaries (or even 3 and 7).

he will be 33 years old in 2027
no one is giving him 3 years.
I didnt say $10m AAV
I said 2 years $10m.
Similar to what Hooper made when he was here