Report: Chargers TE Called Ideal Patriots Free-Agent Target

The New England Patriots will have to address their tight end struggles in the offseason. Head coach Bill Belichick will have to find the right tight end for his team. New England had a chance to solve the problem in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the team didn’t get much production from Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene. Both players were selected in the third round of the draft. Will this open the door for a Chargers TE and introduce him to the Patriots?

Asiasi and Keener had 5 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown this past season. Ryan Izzo didn’t do any better. He finished the season with 13 catches for 199 yards. Belichick is definitely not happy with the total of 18 catches for 254 yards and one touchdown. The Patriots will probably give Asiasi and Keene more time to develop. But, Belichick wants to compete in 2021 and he can’t enter the new season with these two. This leads us to Los Angeles Lakers Chargers TE and his chances of joining the Patriots.

The Chargers TE to join Belichick’s Patriots

Mike Reiss from ESPN explained that the Patriots will have to pay a lot of money to get Henry.

“At tight end, it’s a similar picture to last offseason, with Hunter Henry (Chargers) the top target after playing on the franchise tag. Henry would be an upgrade for the Patriots, as he’s a true tight end in the sense he’s a factor as a blocker and pass-catcher. He could command close to a top-of-the-market deal, which is in the per-year-range of $14 million to 15 million.”

New England has under $60 million in cap space for the offseason. Henry would absorb a big part of this mondy.

The 26-year-old finished his fourth NFL season. In 2020, he played with the Chargers and had career-high 60 receptions, 613 yards, and four touchdowns. We shouldn’t forget that Belichick likes him a lot.

Here’s what Belichick said prior to the Patriots Week 13 game against the Chargers.

“Henry continues to be a complete and very, very good football player for them Henry’s really been a great player. Watched him pretty much his whole career. … He started at Pulaski Academy down in Little Rock. Played for Coach Kelley. Had a great career down there. Went to Arkansas. Had a great career there. … … He runs a variety of routes. He’s come back off the injury and has been a very, very productive player for them along with all the other skill players. He’s done a good job for them in the running game as well as the passing game.”

Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks.