With the NFL 2021 league year having officially started, teams are now allowed to sign free agents to the contracts that were agreed upon during the legal tampering period. One such player is former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, who will sign a three-year deal with the New England Patriots.
Henry confirmed the move via a social media post on Wednesday afternoon, sharing a photoshopped picture of himself in a Patriots uniform.
He also shared a statement directed at the Chargers, with whom he spent the first five years of his career:
You took me in as a 21 year old kid from Arkansas and gave me a chance in the NFL. I was able to come to an amazing organization where I grew as a player, teammate, man and husband. These last 5 years have been nothing short of amazing. Every time I stepped on that field, I gave everything that I had for my teammates, coaches and fans. It was an honor representing the bolt as a player and captain for the Chargers organization. I will always be thankful for the Chargers as they gave me the chance to live out my dream. Thank you.
Together with fellow free agency addition Jonnu Smith, Henry will try to transform the Patriots’ struggling tight end group in 2021. During his five years as a Charger, he caught 196 passes for 2,322 yards and 21 touchdowns.