Hunter Henry has settled in as one of the Patriots’ most dependable pieces, and 2026 looks set up to run through him again. The veteran tight end is ranked No. 7 on the “Top 25 Patriots of 2026” list, a spot that reflects both what he’s already done in New England and what the team still expects from him entering a contract season.
Since arriving in 2021 under Bill Belichick, Henry has stayed through the transitions to Jerod Mayo and Mike Vrabel, and his game has only kept moving forward. He’s been a problem for defenses for years now, not necessarily because he’s the flashiest tight end in the league, but because he does so many things well.
He can block, he can catch, and he can move the chains in the middle of the field. That versatility made him a major part of the Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl in 2025, and it should keep him near the center of Drake Maye’s offense again.
Henry’s 2025 season was his best yet in New England: 60 catches, 768 yards and seven touchdowns. That production came after years of uneven team results, but it also showed how steady he’s been as a multi-year captain and a respected presence in the locker room. He’s entering 2026 at 31 and will turn 32 in December, but there’s no sign of a sharp drop-off.
The Patriots are counting on that consistency even more now because of the season-ending injury to free-agent acquisition Julian Hill. With Hill out, Henry and rookie Eli Raridon are expected to pick up the slack. Henry’s role should grow, and so should his value as a mentor for Raridon, who will lean on the 10-year veteran’s experience while trying to develop in the same room.
There’s also a reason Henry has become such a trusted target for Maye. He’s at his best when he’s operating as the lead tight end, using his route-running and ability to shield defenders to create easy throws. He’s also proven to be a reliable red-zone option and a strong target down the seam, which is exactly the kind of steady production a young quarterback can build around.
Last season even included a touchdown against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers, in the AFC Wild Card. It was another reminder that Henry’s best work has come after plenty of tough stretches, and that his patience in New England finally paid off. As he heads into his sixth season with the Patriots, he remains one of the most accomplished tight ends the franchise has had in its uniform, and another big year could put him in line for a longer extension to stay.
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Kraft went a step further by saying he hopes Vrabel is the Patriots' head coach for many years, even if he stopped short of making that sound like a guarantee. He also sounded upbeat about the 2026 season, pointing to the new faces around the roster and saying he expects New England to be in the playoff mix, a notable message from an owner who clearly believes the rebuild is moving in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Fans Wont Like What Just Changed With Stefon Diggs
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Patriots Just Got Another Reason To Feel Disrespected Heading Into 2026
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Even with that kind of addition, the national respect still has not quite followed. Some pundits have continued to overlook both Byard and Drake Maye in their position rankings, a familiar sort of slight for a team trying to build momentum, and it leaves New England with a little extra motivation as it tries to turn a stronger roster into something people around the league can no longer dismiss. [Read more 🡒]