Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots woke up feeling dangerous again. After a spending spree on Monday, Belichick came out firing on Tuesday too.
The Patriots and tight end, Hunter Henry, a long-time favorite of Belichick, reportedly agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
And New England strikes again: The Patriots are signing former Chargers’ TE Hunter Henry to a three-year, $37.5 million deal, including $25 million guaranteed, per source.
Free agency’s top two tight ends, Henry and Jonnu Smith, wind up in New England.
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With this signing and Monday’s agreement with Jonnu Smith, the Patriots have locked up the two biggest free-agent targets at tight end. That figures to be a huge boon for a passing offense that got almost no production from the tight end position in 2020.
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Twitter Reacts to Henry’s Signing
Cam Newton is a happy man. He’s headed back to the Patriots as well and judging by his most recent Instagram post. It’s safe to say he’s pleased to see the team’s new additions.
Newton posted this just after the news on Henry’s signing broke.
The Patriots inking Henry wasn’t a major shock because, as ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, Belichick’s affinity for the 26-year-old is well known.
This was Bill Belichick on Hunter Henry prior to last December’s Chargers-Patriots game. … and then, of course, after the game.
Still, seeing the Patriots get both Smith and Henry was noteworthy. Reiss had another tweet associated with this new signing. As he points out, the depth issue that was a major problem in 2020 is no more. Take a look at the list of players at the position for the Patriots now.
Obviously, this could change with injuries, trades or releases, but as of now, Reiss points out just how stacked New England is at the tight end position. They have gone from the weakest in the NFL at this spot to arguably the best in the league.
CLNS’ Evan Lazar loves the way Henry and Smith’s skillsets compliment each other.
Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith compliment each other extremely well. You got a traditional in-line TE in Henry and a classic move TE in Jonnu. A true 1-2 punch for the #Patriots.
Don’t ever wonder how much Belichick and the Patriots value the tight end position., This tweet from NBC Sports Boston proves it. The Patriots now have the third and fourth highest-paid tight ends in the NFL on their roster.
Highest paid tight ends in the NFL …
1) George Kittle, 49ers $15.0M
2) Travis Kelce, Chiefs $14.3M
3) Hunter Henry, Patriots $12.5M
4) Jonnu Smith, Patriots $12.5M
5) Austin Hooper, Browns $10.5M
The Patriots’ spending spree didn’t just get the attention of NFL players. NBA superstars and sports icon LeBron James have also taken notice. He tweeted this after Henry’s signing became news.
Coach Belichick like y’all got me all the way F’d up!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
In case you’re wondering why James is interested. He has always been a huge football fan and was quite the wide receiver in high school before focusing on basketball full time. He’s also set to become part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, so there’s that.
LeBron James to become part owner of Red Sox, both he & Maverick Carter each join Fenway Sports Group as partners, first and only Black partners in FSG history.
FSG also approves $750M investment from RedBird Capital Partners. Deal pending MLB approval.
Keeping Track of the New, Re-Signed, Returning, and Departing Patriots
No team has been as active as the Patriots through the first two days of free agency. In case you’re losing track of the new and returning faces heading to Foxborough, here’s a list of who’s new, returning, and exiting.
- TE Hunter Henry – 3-Year, $37.5 million
- DL Henry Anderson – 2-Year, $7 million
- WR Kendrick Bourne – 3-Year, $22.5 million, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport
- WR Nelson Agholor – 2-Year, $26 million
- LB Matt Judon – 4-Year, $56 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
- DB Jalen Mills – 4-Year, $24 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
- DT Davon Godchaux – 2-Year, up to $16 million per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
- TE Jonnu Smith – 4-Year, $50 million per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
- OT Trent Brown – Reportedly acquired via trade with the Raiders
Returning Players
- DL Carl Davis – Officially Re-Signed
- DL Deatrich Wise Jr. – Reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss
- DB Justin Bethel – Reported by ESPN’s Mike Reiss
- QB Cam Newton – Reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter
- LB Dont’a Hightower
- S – Patrick Chung
- WR – Marqise Lee
- FB – Dan Vitale
- C – Najee Toran
- TE – Matt LaCosse
- RB – Brandon Bolden
Departures
- OL Joe Thuney – Reported to have signed with Kansas City Chiefs, per NFL
- S Terrence Brooks – Reported to have signed with Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
- OT Marcus Cannon – Reportedly traded to the Houston Texans, per Patriots.com
Also Read:
- Patriots Sign Massive, 6’6′ D-Lineman on Busy Free-Agent Day
- Twitter Reacts to Patriots Signing Super-Bowl Champ WR to $26 Million Deal
- Patriots Met With Fastest WR in College Football Ahead of NFL Draft
- Cam Newton Reacts to Signing New Deal With the Patriots
- Cam Newton Re-Signs With Patriots: Contract Details and Reactions
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Twitter Reacts to Patriots Signing 2nd Stud TE in 2 Days