The New England Patriots are entering a full-scale rebuild, and with a young quarterback in Drake Maye leading the way, the team must decide which veterans fit into their long-term plans. Hunter Henry has been a dependable tight end in New England, but at 30 years old with a $21 million cap hit over the next two years, he may no longer be the best investment for a team looking toward the future.
Henry is coming off a solid 66-catch, 674-yard season, showing that he can still be a productive target in the passing game. However, the Patriots aren’t in a position to maximize his contributions. They need to get younger on offense, and with several promising tight ends in the upcoming draft, trading Henry now could help them add more weapons for their rookie quarterback.
Why Trading Henry Makes Sense
Tight ends in today’s NFL are either dominant pass-catchers or elite blockers, and while Henry is well-rounded, he doesn’t bring the dynamic explosiveness that a rebuilding team should prioritize. New England also has to be smart about cap management, and moving Henry would give them more financial flexibility to build a stronger offense around Maye.
If the Patriots are serious about developing their new quarterback, they need playmakers at wide receiver—not just a solid, possession-style tight end. Flipping Henry for draft capital or young talent would be a step in the right direction.
Where Could Henry Land?
Several teams could use a reliable, experienced tight end, including:
- Cincinnati Bengals – They love one-year rental tight ends, and Henry would be an instant upgrade.
- Green Bay Packers – Jordan Love is thriving, and a veteran tight end could help his continued development.
- New Orleans Saints – With Derek Carr still in the mix, a steady red-zone target like Henry would be valuable.
Final Thoughts
Hunter Henry is still a productive player, but his timeline doesn’t match the Patriots’ current trajectory. If New England wants to fully embrace their rebuild, moving Henry now would allow them to free up cap space, add draft assets, and get younger on offense.
For a team focused on the future, holding onto aging veterans isn’t the answer. Trading Henry is the right move.
