The Patriots found a way to create a little more financial breathing room before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and Hunter Henry’s contract is the piece they used to do it.
According to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, New England opened up $3.3 million in cap space by restructuring Henry’s deal on Thursday. The team converted half of the tight end’s $3.575 million base salary into a signing bonus, which pushed the Patriots’ cap room to $5.245 million.
The move also came with two void years added to the contract Henry signed before the season. That deal was a two-year, $16 million extension he agreed to during the summer, with $14.5 million guaranteed and a $4.2 million signing bonus. With incentives, the contract can climb to $20 million.
Henry has been worth the investment on the field. He has 26 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns, and he’s tied for the third-most receiving touchdowns by a Patriots tight end in franchise history. One more score would move him past Russ Francis and into sole possession of third place.
His impact goes beyond the stat sheet, too. Rookie Eli Raridon has already caught two touchdowns in the TE2 role, and tight ends coach Thomas Brown pointed to Henry’s influence this week.
"I think a ton," tight ends coach Thomas Brown said this week about how Henry helps Raridon on and off the field. "Hunter helps me being around him.
I think having a guy as a veteran leader, not just the experience of playing and the production, and coming off of a career year last year in season 10, but just the way in which he goes about his business. I think being able to be a leader ... starts with your example."
With a bit more cap flexibility now in hand, the Patriots can at least explore options ahead of the deadline. Big names have already moved at positions where New England could use help, including offensive guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
That said, another tight end doesn’t appear to be the target. The Patriots currently have Henry, Raridon, Tanner Arkin and Cameron Latu on the active roster, with Tanner Conner on the practice squad.
Henry and the Patriots are set to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 8 tomorrow at 4:25 p.m. EST.
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