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Patriots Free Agency Tracker: The latest news & rumors in New England

• Pats re-sign Hunter Henry

  Hunter Henry won’t hit the open market, after all. He’s staying with the Patriots on a three-year extension worth a base value of $27 million and a maximum of $30M, with $16M guaranteed.

  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

  — JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josina Anderson was first to report Friday that the two sides were “working on” a deal, then the NFL Network’s

  The #Patriots finalizing a deal with TE Hunter Henry to remain in New England, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
  
  Henry was scheduled to be a free agent next week. Hunting season for 31 teams now canceled. pic.twitter.com/WyrPlMZzLH

  — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Garafolo reported the agreement.

  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

  — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ian Rapoport had the contract details, while

  Patriots TE Hunter Henry's new contract is three years, $27M base value, $30M max value with $16M fully guaranteed, per sources.

  — Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) March 8, 2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald had the guaranteed money.

  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

  — JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 8, 2024

• 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)

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  Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.