Hunter Henry admitted that he was surprised to agree to a deal with the New England Patriots less than a day after the organization added the other tight end Jonnu Smith.
The two first-rate free agents were the two main competitors available on the open market and never expected them to wear the same uniform when the NFL’s 2021 campaign began. But now that they are, it looks like they wouldn’t do it any other way.
“He’s a big tight end,” Smith told reporters when asked about Henry during his team’s introductory press conference on Tuesday. “I’m excited to be able to be there fighting with him, competing with him, making each other better.”
The main reason everyone is confident that it will work is that they have seen work before for the Patriots. It was a highlight for Smith and Henry this week.
“I saw the success that the Patriots have had in the past with two tight end sets,” said Smith. “I’m just confident in their ability to allow us to make moves and put the team in a position to win.”
Henry expressed a similar feeling on Monday.
“I just feel like we can complement each other in a nice way,” said Henry. “Obviously, the Patriots are very successful with tight ends, so I’m excited to be able to add that. … So I’m excited to get into the system, learn and see how I can adapt my game to it and everything that comes with it. With Jonnu – everything. I’m really excited about that. “
Smith, who signed a $ 50 million four-year contract, is stepping out of a career campaign for the Tennessee Titans, having managed 41 passes for 448 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. Henry, 26, who signed a three-year, $ 37.5 million contract, recorded 60 receptions for 613 yards with four touchdowns in his last season with the Los Angeles Chargers. The terms of each contract are different, but Henry and Smith will earn an average annual fee of $ 12.5 million per season.
Together, they will join forces to bring the Patriots back from the dead in the tight end department. New England ranked last in the NFL for receptions in each of the past two seasons.
That will change this time, and it looks like Smith and Henry are looking forward to it.
Miniature photo via Christopher Hanewinckel / USA TODAY Sports Images