Steadiness has been a key to Hunter Henry’s success in his time with the New England Patriots and as a tight end in the NFL. Measured with his words and with an even keel on and off the field, Henry always seems to be in good spirits and is a popular and well regarded teammate as he consistently delivers quality play.
Now entering his eighth season in the league (seven if we’re counting years on-field as he missed 2018 with a torn ACL), Henry seems to have taken his game up a notch this preseason. He looks to be in better shape, and flashed early in camp drills, connecting frequently with QB Mac Jones for scores in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. In his first Patriots Monday appearance of the season with Gresh & Fauria, Henry attributed his solid offseason to the simplest thing he’s never experienced before: good health.
“I was able to be healthy this whole offseason,” Henry said (listen to the full interview above). “I wasn’t coming off an injury or a surgery, which was a blessing, so I was able to attack the offseason and recover my body, which was nice.”
Henry said his health enabled him to work on everything from his route work to his footwork and all the things he said could help “get yourself open a lot more.”
Henry, like everyone on offense not named Rhamondre Stevenson, saw his productivity drop last season across the board - yardage, receptions and especially TDs (nine to two from 2021 to 2022). The big tight end is looking to bounce back. He’s entering the third and final year of his three-year, $37.5 million deal, so a return to form or a career year would be helpful before striking a new deal next year.
In addition to being in good health and in his best shape, collaborating with coordinator and quarterback will be key.
“Things have been good, and we’re coming together as an offense,” said Henry, noting the team has had a good camp to date, in part thanks to new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
“OB’s been great,” Henry said of O’Brien. “He keeps it light but we work hard. He’s fun to be around.”
Henry said he didn’t know too much about the former Pats offensive coordinator and Houston Texans head coach. He appreciates the energy O’Brien has brought to the offense, something they needed entering the season.
“Being able to be around him, he brings a lot of energy to our room, a lot of fire we all needed,” Henry said.
That assessment speaks volumes to what happened with the confusion and frustration on offense with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge last year.
Speaking of fiery guys on offense, Henry says of his friend and QB Mac Jones, “He’s always been laid back”, but also, “He’s an intense competitor.” Perhaps that balance of his fire and equilibrium will bring the right kind of balance to the offense.
Henry also agreed with Christian Fauria, who previously took this assessment to legendary line coach Dante Scarnecchia, that tight ends are the smartest players on the football field.
“Behind the quarterback we are definitely the smartest on the field, for sure,” said Henry, citing their need to know all the plays, line calls, checkdowns, coverages, formations and more.
With Mike Gesicki out for a few weeks with a mild shoulder dislocation, Henry’s skills and smarts will be leaned on even more, though the veteran tight end did say he’s been impressed with backup Matt Sokol this preseason.
“Soks has done a great job, man,” Henry said. “He’s done a great job with camp, man, just filling the void, stepping up in different situations.”
A ringing endorsement for a team that may have to carry a third tight end for a while or all season long.
Good health, good shape, good energy, good fundamentals – sounds like Hunter Henry believes his team is in a good place and he’s in a good spot for a good season. Will all this be good enough for Henry and the Pats to attack the regular season in an increasingly competitive AFC East and AFC? Good chance we’ll find out starting Sept. 10.
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