NFL Rumors: Hunter Henry to Raiders? Mike Gesicki’s arrival could push Patriots TE out
Hunter Henry has been with the New England Patriots since 2021. However, his place could be in jeopardy upon the arrival of former Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki.
Gesicki signed a one-year deal with the Patriots worth $9 million and he will be determined to prove himself with his new team. Last month, Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus wrote an article in which he mentioned that Henry could be cut by the Patriots.
New England The Gesicki Griddy ➡️ New England
@mikegesicki | @Patriots https://t.co/ICRuZ6XUhX
Hunter Henry's release has become more likely since the franchise has added another trustworthy tight end to their roster. The idea of Henry joining the Los Angeles Raiders to work with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is gaining traction.
The Las Vegas Raiders have just traded away Darren Waller and would love the addition of a player like Henry, who is accustomed to McDaniels' system. Henry would also be much more available than Waller, who missed the majority of the last two seasons.
Last season, Henry had 41 catches for 509 yards and scored two touchdowns in 17 games. It will be interesting to see how the New England Patriots handle the situation considering all options are on the table.
What should the Patriots do with Hunter Henry?
Although Hunter Henry's name will be floated in the coming days as a possible cut, the Patriots should endeavor to keep him on the team. They have already lost free agent Jakobi Meyers to the Las Vegas Raiders, and losing Henry would force Mac Jones to work with a newer set of players. This could lead to chemistry concerns.
In the same article, Brad Spielberger mentioned that new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien may experiment with two tight ends, which may mean that both Gesicki and Henry see plenty of playing time.
mike gesicki and hunter henry in the bill obrien system https://t.co/PsZHx8oZtp
If that is the case, Patriots fans will be hoping that Gesicki and Henry create a tandem similar to Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. That is still a long shot, but quarterback Mac Jones would love to have Henry on board for the upcoming season.
In free agency, the Patriots also signed Super Bowl champion JuJu Smith-Schuster. With all of the tools at his disposal, Jones should be able to excel next season.