When it comes to the Patriots’ offense, veteran tight end Hunter Henry is going to be one of the few returning constants in a world of change for New England in 2024.
And if the big smile Henry displayed while talking to the media following Monday’s first day of mandatory veteran mini-camp at Gillette Stadium is any indication, that’s OK with him.
Henry re-signed with the Patriots this offseason amidst major changes in Foxborough that included first-time head coach Jerod Mayo, first-year offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, a totally new New England offensive scheme and a new face at quarterback – likely some combination of journeyman veteran Jacoby Brissett and No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye.
Along with the likes of running back Rhamondre Stevenson and center David Andrews, Henry looks to remain the consistent, stable force he’s been for the offense in his three seasons since joining the Patriots as a prized free agent in 2021. He’s led the team in touchdown catches two of the last three years, tallying a total of 133 receptions for 1,531 yards with 17 touchdowns over the three somewhat tumultuous seasons for the team that included three different starting quarterbacks, three different offensive coordinators/schemes and not as much winning as many would have hoped.
He stood tall through it all as a team captain. And returns to do the same for this new era in New England.
“Just trying to still be steady, still be consistent,” Henry said. “Be the same person I am every single day. I’ve try to be that ever since I’ve stepped in the building. Just person wise and obviously just trying to be that on the football field as well. So just trying to help out young guys. Man, I’m on year nine. It’s kind of crazy, I’m the old head in the room, the veteran. It kind of feels surreal. So just trying to be a leader. We have a lot of young guys, but we’re trying to bring them along and they are doing a great job every single day.”
Between what Van Pelt is installing these days – his version of the West Coast Offense that’s very much rooted in what he did working under Kevin Stefanski with the Browns – and his final season with the Chargers in 2020, Henry has seen five different coordinators with five different schemes over the last five NFL seasons. So new things are nothing new to him. And so far, he likes what he’s seen from both Van Pelt’s offense and the way his teammates are learning it.
“It’s been great. Ever since we stepped in the building with him, in the meeting rooms, stepped on the field it’s been great,” Henry said optimistically. “They are throwing a lot at us, which is good. Just trying to throw as much as they can at you so that when we come back in training camp we can hit the ground running. I feel like we are doing a good job. Every single day there’s something new and we’re trying to have to apply that to the field. That’s what it’s all about every single day.”
Henry, who was a stable option for Mac Jones to turn to on and off the field in his development, says that his lastest first-round QB Maye has done a “great job” early on in his tenure and that the rookie is a “fun guy to be around.”
As one of the few “old hat” guys on the offense, Henry is well aware of the abundant youth around him, especially at wide receiver where guys like second-year slot option DeMario Douglas and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker could be leaned on heavily.
“We’re young, on offense especially, but guys are picking it up and improving really fast,” Henry said.
At least in June. In shorts. In a non-contact environment of OTAs and mini-camp. Which for now is enough. Because it’s part of the process, one that Henry knows from experience will be a long process.
“There is a lot of work ahead, for sure,” Henry admitted. “But I would say everybody thinks that around the entire league, there is a lot of work. We’re putting stuff in and running around the field, but we aren’t really playing football yet. Football time will come. When we put the pads on we can kinda get physical, establish our run game, establish different things of our offense and put all the pieces together.”
When that happens, Henry will be in the middle of it all. A key returning veteran piece in a world of youthful change on the New England offense.
It’s a role that he happily embraces.