Can Hunter Henry Be the X-Factor the Patriots Need in Super Bowl 60?
The New England Patriots know a thing or two about tight ends stepping up on football’s biggest stage. From vintage Rob Gronkowski performances to clutch contributions from lesser-known names, the position has played a pivotal role in the franchise’s Super Bowl history. Now, as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60, the spotlight turns to Hunter Henry - and the timing couldn’t be more critical.
Since arriving in New England as a free agent in 2021, Henry has been a steady presence in the Patriots’ passing game. But his chemistry with rookie quarterback Drake Maye has taken things to another level. Maye, selected No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, has leaned on Henry as a reliable safety valve - especially in high-leverage moments.
During the regular season, Henry hauled in 60 catches for 783 yards - both good for second on the team. His seven touchdown grabs led all Patriots pass-catchers. That kind of production isn’t just solid; it’s elite, especially when you consider how few tight ends around the league have been more prolific in the red zone over the past five seasons.
To put it in perspective: only three tight ends have scored more touchdowns than Henry in that span - George Kittle (38), Mark Andrews (36), and Travis Kelce (34). Henry’s 26 touchdowns over the last five years put him in rare company, and it’s a testament to his consistency and nose for the end zone.
He reminded everyone of that in the AFC Wild Card Round against his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. Henry made the most of his three catches, racking up 64 yards and a game-sealing 28-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was a vintage moment - a savvy route, a strong catch through contact, and the kind of play that swings momentum in playoff football.
But since then, it’s been quiet. In the Divisional Round win over Houston and the AFC Championship win in Denver, Henry totaled just three catches for 17 yards and didn’t find the end zone. For the Patriots to keep pace with a high-powered Seahawks offense in Super Bowl 60, they’ll need more than just a presence - they’ll need Henry to be a difference-maker.
The matchup suggests he could be just that.
Seattle’s defense is loaded with talent and has been one of the league’s best all season. But if there’s one area where they’ve shown vulnerability, it’s against tight ends.
During the regular season, the Seahawks allowed the fifth-most receptions (105) and sixth-most yards (1,080) to the position. And that trend has carried into the postseason.
In the NFC Divisional Round, 49ers tight end Jake Tonges caught five passes for 59 yards. A week later, Rams tight end Colby Parkinson went for 62 yards on just three catches in the NFC title game. That’s not a fluke - it’s a pattern.
What makes this even more intriguing is how Henry matches up against Seattle’s preferred defensive scheme. The Seahawks run zone coverage at one of the highest rates in the league - fourth-most, to be exact.
And Henry has thrived against zone this year. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned the fourth-highest receiving grade among tight ends when facing zone coverage.
He’s smart, he understands spacing, and he knows how to find soft spots in the defense - exactly the kind of traits that can be exploited in a game like this.
Then there’s the red zone - the ultimate pressure cooker. The Patriots have only converted two touchdowns in six red zone trips this postseason. That’s just not going to cut it against a Seahawks team that averaged 28.4 points per game in the regular season and has exploded for 36 per game in the playoffs.
Seattle’s red zone defense was stout all year - fourth-best in the league. But even they showed cracks in the NFC Championship, allowing the Rams to punch in two scores inside the 20. That’s where Henry’s size (6-foot-5, 249 pounds) and skill set become a serious problem for defenders.
He ranked second among tight ends in red zone receiving yards (122) during the regular season and was third in red zone targets (21). Five of his seven touchdowns came inside the 20.
That’s not just usage - that’s trust. Maye looks for him when it matters most, and that’s not going to change on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Patriots have scored just 54 points across three playoff games - the fewest ever for a team that’s gone from Wild Card Weekend to the Super Bowl. If they’re going to flip the script and hang with a Seahawks team that can light up the scoreboard, they’ll need to finish drives.
Field goals won’t do it. Touchdowns will.
And that’s where Hunter Henry comes in.
He’s got the track record. He’s got the matchup. And in a game where every possession could swing the outcome, he might just be the key to unlocking the Patriots’ offense when they need it most.