Patriots, Hunter Henry Agree to Two-Year Contract Extension

The New England Patriots are set to keep veteran tight end Hunter Henry in Foxborough for at least the next two seasons, potentially allowing him to finish his career with the franchise.

Earlier this offseason, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the possibility of extending Henry, who was heading into the final year of his contract after putting together one of the best seasons of his career.

Vrabel made it clear that he valued having Henry around.

“The more that I can be around Hunter Henry, the better,” Vrabel said. “He’s been a great football player. He’s a great leader for us. A very consistent player.”

The Patriots have now followed through on that sentiment. New England has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension with Henry that will keep him under contract through the 2028 season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the deal is worth $16 million, with the potential to reach $20 million. Henry will receive $14.5 million in guaranteed money, along with a $4.2 million signing bonus.

Henry initially joined New England in 2021 after signing a three-year, $37.5 million deal in free agency. This extension marks his third contract with the Patriots, making him the final remaining member of the team’s notable 2021 free-agent class.

Since arriving in New England, Henry has developed into one of the team’s most dependable offensive players. In his first season with the Patriots, he caught 50 passes for 603 yards and nine touchdowns, helping rookie quarterback Mac Jones lead New England to the postseason.

Henry has continued to provide stability at tight end ever since. The Patriots have struggled to replace the production of Rob Gronkowski, who left the team after the 2018 season, but Henry has become a reliable option in the passing game and a trusted target for multiple quarterbacks.

“This is a place that I’ve grown a lot,” Henry said in July. “The hard years, the good years. This is a place that means a lot to me. I’m focused on this year.”

Henry Continues to Anchor the Tight End Position

Henry has remained a consistent presence through multiple coaching changes in New England. His latest extension is his third contract with the organization negotiated under a different head coach.

Following Jerod Mayo’s hiring ahead of the 2024 season, Henry signed another three-year extension worth $27 million.

He is coming off another productive campaign, finishing last season with 69 receptions, 880 receiving yards and eight touchdowns across 21 games. Henry was also selected as a team captain for the fourth time in his career.

He became an important red-zone target for quarterback Drake Maye and is expected to take on an even larger leadership role this season. With rookies Eli Raridon and Tanner Arkin joining the tight end group, Henry will likely be counted on to guide the younger players while remaining a key part of the Patriots’ offense.

The Patriots are scheduled to hold their 13th training camp practice of the summer at 10:15 a.m., with Henry expected to address the media afterward.