Patriots Extend Henry, Veteran TE Agrees to 2-Year Deal

The Patriots’ depth at tight end might be questionable heading into the 2026 season, but the team is at least making sure their top target sticks around for a couple of more seasons.

According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots have reached an agreement with Hunter Henry on a contract extension. Adam Schefter is reporting that it’s a 2-year, $16 million deal and worth up to $20 million.

Schefter adds that it includes $14.5 million in guaranteed money, along with a $4.2 million signing bonus.

Henry has been one of Drake Maye’s key targets, having finished with the second-most receiving yards in 2025 behind Stefon Diggs (85 catches, 1013 yards, 4 TDs) after catching 60 passes for 768 yards and 7 touchdowns during the regular season. He also led the team in receiving in 2024, catching 66 passes for 674 yards and 2 touchdowns.

But the veteran has continually been most valuable when it comes to moving the chains. He was the second-most targeted player on third down in 2025 behind Diggs (30 targets, 20 receptions, 240 yards, 1 TD [14 first downs]), catching 16-of-26 passes for 167 yards, while moving the chains 13 times. He led the team on third down the previous season in 2024, catching 21 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown, with 18 receiving first downs.

Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) celebrates his touchdown run against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports — **(PHOTO: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports)**

Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked a couple of weeks ago whether or not he hoped Henry would be extended, and Vrabel praised the veteran for his approach and how he continued to carry himself.

“Yeah, I love being around Hunter. I mean, I talked about his consistency and his production,” said Vrabel. “But the more that I can be around Hunter Henry, the better, because he’s been a great football player. He’s a great leader for us, a very consistent player.”

Tight End Remains a Question Mark

The veteran anchors a tight end group that’s currently in transition. Following Austin Hooper’s departure this offseason, the club drafted Eli Raridon as part of the 2026 Patriots Draft class and also signed Julian Hill as part of the first group of free agents this offseason.

Hill had gotten off to a good start this spring, but an injury saw him placed on injured reserve, ending his season. That was a tough blow given how high the coaching staff seemed to be on Hill, and it now leaves New England looking for someone else to pick up the slack.

Jul 24, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) makes a catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports — **(PHOTO: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)**

Raridon has been someone who seems to be gaining momentum and has had some good moments this summer. But overall, Henry has remained the key to an offense that certainly doesn’t have much margin for error behind him. The veteran also left Friday’s Blue-White Scrimmage with an apparent ankle injury, and no details have come out since regarding his current status.

Henry originally joined the Patriots back in 2021 after signing a 3-year, $37.5 million deal, and was previously extended with another 3-year deal back in 2024 worth $27 million. He was heading into 2026 in the final year of his current contract, with no guaranteed money left.

This news at least means he’ll be sticking around for the foreseeable future, which is definitely good news for a team hoping to pick up where it left off last season.

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.

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Tags: Hunter Henry