Patriots finalize deal to keep tight end Hunter Henry around
The New England Patriots are showing their locker room that they’re serious about keeping core players in the fold.
According to the It’s a three-year deal for Hunter Henry to stick with the #Patriots. Terms are agreed to, per me and @RapSheet. https://t.co/ArVvfKtjxq As of this morning: I'm told the #Patriots are "working on" a deal for TE Hunter Henry, per source. Henry is scheduled to be a UFA in the new league year.
The sides still have to agree to terms. pic.twitter.com/GqMm8e9WtN
MORE: Patriots free agent tight end rumors
According to The #Patriots and TE Hunter Henry have agreed to terms on a 3-year deal worth $27M base worth a max value of $30M, per me and @MikeGarafolo. https://t.co/ogVGRpi59M Patriots TE Hunter Henry's new contract is three years, $27M base value, $30M max value with $16M fully guaranteed, per sources.
Sept. 17, 2023; Foxborough, MA: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry catches a pass during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)The Patriots named Henry a team captain before the 2023 season, and he followed that up by leading the team with six touchdown catches. If he were to depart in free agency, the Pats would have been left with only La’Michael Pettway on the roster at tight end.
Henry was set to be arguably the best tight end available in free agency, if he were to hit the open market next Wednesday. But instead, Patriots de facto GM Eliot Wolf is sticking to his promise of extending “core performers” from within the organization. This is a good message to send to the rest of the team, that if you perform and do everything the right way, you’ll be rewarded.
Next up for the Patriots: re-sign right tackle Mike Onwenu. On Thursday they signed former Steelers tackle Chukwuma Okorafor.
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Patriots Free Agency Tracker: The latest news & rumors in New England
Patriots Sign Right Tackle
As first reported by
The #Patriots beef up their tackle spot, agreeing to terms with former #Steelers starter Chukwuma Okorafor, source said. Plenty of starting experience.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are signing former Steelers right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. The 26-year-old started 59 of 77 games for Pittsburgh from 2018-23.According to Field Yates, Okorafor’s contract is for one year and a base value of $4 million with a chance to be worth up to $8.25 million. The move feels like an insurance signing in the event that the Pats end up losing Mike Onwenu in free agency.
Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor (76) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Onwenu to become free agent
The Patriots used up their only tag on safety Kyle Dugger, who got the transition tag. That means they couldn’t use any tag on offensive lineman Mike Onwenu. That didn’t necessarily mean Onwenu couldn’t still sign an extension with the Patriots, but according to
This also means that #Patriots versatile OL Mike Onwenu won't be tagged and will be a free agent. https://t.co/HyjjHto0Zz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Rapoport, Onwenu is expected to become an unrestricted free agent.New England now runs the risk of losing its starting right tackle to free agency. With left tackle Trent Brown also likely gone, the Patriots have a lot of work to do at that position.
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots guard Mike Onwenu (71) blocks against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Patriots place transition tag on Kyle Dugger
The Patriots have applied the transition tag – not the franchise tag – to safety Kyle Dugger, as reported by
Dugger now set to make $13.81M on the tag. Gives New England time to hash out a long-term deal with him. https://t.co/KLV1b1vJNr
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 5, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Per the report, Dugger’s transition tag costs $13.81 million. Fowler believes the Patriots could be buying time to work toward a long-term deal with the 27-year-old safety.The transition tag gives the Patriots the right to match any offer Dugger would receive on the open market, similar to a restricted free agent getting an offer sheet. However, the big difference is if they lose Dugger to another team, they won’t receive any compensation.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 01: Kyle Dugger #23 of the New England Patriots runs back an interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Patriots not close with Henry, Bourne
It doesn’t sound good for the Patriots’ chances to re-sign either wide receiver Kendrick Bourne or tight end Hunter Henry. According to a report by MassLive from the combine, they’re “not seeing eye-to-eye” with Bourne on a contract, and they’re “far apart on an extension” with Henry.
The report did also state that the Patriots “would like to bring Henry back.” But it sounds like it’s going to take a real, competitive offer to get that done.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Hunter Henry #85 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Kendrick Bourne #84 after a touchdown during the first half in the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
