- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,265,708
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
Drake Maye Delivers Emphatic Hunter Henry Message After Patriots Extension originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots ensured one of Drake Maye’s most trusted targets will not be leaving Foxboro anytime soon. New England signed tight end Hunter Henry to a two-year contract extension reportedly worth $16 million, with incentives that could push its total value to $20 million. The deal also reportedly includes $14.5 million guaranteed.
Maye made it clear Tuesday that he could not be happier about the Patriots keeping Henry around.
“Shoot, he’s the best tight end I’ve played with in my lifetime,” Maye told reporters. “Just trying to keep growing and keep kind of seeing different things that he sees and make sure that we’re on the same page.”
It was an emphatic endorsement from a quarterback who has quickly developed into one of the NFL’s brightest young stars.
Drake Maye Considers Hunter Henry an Invaluable Patriots Weapon
Calling Henry the best tight end Maye has ever played with may sound obvious considering the quarterback is entering only his third NFL season. It still speaks volumes about how important the veteran has become to New England’s offense. Henry has provided Maye with something every young quarterback needs: a dependable option over the middle who understands how to find openings in a defense and make difficult catches in traffic.
That connection became especially valuable during Maye’s breakout 2025 season. Henry caught 60 passes for a career-high 768 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season, helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl LX. Maye completed an NFL-best 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. His 8.9 yards per attempt also led the league, and he finished as the runner-up for the NFL MVP award.
Henry’s consistency contributed to that remarkable leap. The relationship also extends beyond the field. Henry said Maye played a role in his desire to remain in New England, describing the quarterback as one of his best friends on the team.
That mutual admiration matters. The Patriots have spent much of the offseason attempting to construct a deeper and more explosive supporting cast around Maye, but continuity remains equally valuable. Henry already knows what Maye wants from him. Maye understands how Henry reads coverages and adjusts his routes. Those details can take years to develop between a quarterback and pass-catcher.
MORE: Christian Gonzalez Absent From Patriots Practice During Ongoing Contract Talks
Patriots Preserve Stability Around Their Franchise Quarterback
Henry has been one of the Patriots’ most reliable offensive players since signing with the organization in 2021. The 31-year-old has recorded at least 40 receptions in each of his five seasons with New England. He also has remained remarkably durable, missing only four regular-season games during that span.
New England’s decision to extend Henry removes a potentially important player from its list of looming free agents. More importantly, it gives Maye another established piece as the Patriots attempt to prove their Super Bowl run was not a one-year breakthrough. The Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs to a receiving group that already included Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas. Henry gives Maye a familiar presence amid those changes.
Maye is not expected to play in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts, although head coach Mike Vrabel said that plan remains subject to change. Either way, New England has used training camp to continue strengthening the connection between its franchise quarterback and veteran tight end.
The organization’s long-term plan is unmistakable. New England intends to give Maye every possible opportunity to succeed.
Keeping the best tight end he has ever played with represents another important step.
More Patriots
- Latest Patriots news
- Tom Brady's Patriots legacy: How legendary QB set new standard
- Complete history of Patriots championships
Continue reading...
