NFL
Patriots sign TE Hunter Henry to two-year, $16 million contract extension
The average NFL career lasts just three seasons. For those lucky players that sign a second contract, regression normally hits before the age of 30. Even if doesn’t, those select few don’t typically improve after reaching the wrong side of 30.
Henry, to this point, has bucked every single one of those trends. The tight end, 31, is coming off his best season, one in which he posted 60 receptions for for 768 yards and seven touchdowns.
It’ll prove challenging for the veteran to match or exceed those numbers this year, especially with A.J. Brown in town. Those expectations aren’t reality for the Patriots, however. New England simply needs Henry to be serviceable, a level he’s cleared in each of his 10 professional seasons.
There’s a bit of pressure on Henry to perform. The terms of this deal aren’t a major reason, though, as this agreement is a bargain for New England. The burden on Henry is more because of who’s behind him. His projected top backup is rookie third-rounder Eli Raridon, while CJ Dippre also lurks.
The Patriots are in trouble if they lose Henry. Therefore, necessity alone makes this a good signing. The value of the extension is just a cherry on top.
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