Los Angeles Chargers know what they have in Hunter Henry
The Los Angeles Chargers will definitely have a much different look in 2020. But the team wasn’t about to let standout tight end, Hunter Henry, get away.
In recent seasons, the offense of the Los Angeles Chargers has been primarily manned by quarterback Philip Rivers, versatile runners Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler, wide receiver Keenan Allen and the tight end combination of prolific Antonio Gates and emerging Hunter Henry.
These days, both Rivers and Gordon are on the verge of testing the free-agent market and Gates last played football in 2018. On the other hand, Allen remains one of the best players in the league at his position and Ekeler — a former undrafted free agent who joined the team in 2017 — just re-signed with the club via a four-year, $24.5 million deal (via Spotrac).
And now it looks like Henry isn’t going anywhere anytime soon as well. The Bolts have opted to place the franchise tag on the 2016 second-round pick from the University of Arkansas.
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He comes off a career year despite missing four games. And that’s made even more remarkable considering the 6-5, 250-pound pro was basically was lost for the entire 2018 campaign (hence Gates returning for a final season), save for one playoff appearance.
As a rookie, Henry opened eyes with 36 catches for 478 and eight scores. One year later, there were 45 grabs for 579 yards but only four touchdowns. Then came May of 2018 and a torn ACL, which kept him out for the entire regular season and the club’s first-round playoff game at Baltimore. He would make it back on the field at New England in the Divisional Round but he did not catch a pass.
Enter 2019 and Henry was injured in the opener vs. the Colts, sidelining him for the next four weeks. However, he would finish with career bests in receptions (55) and receiving yards (652) and reached the end zone five times despite the rough start to the season.
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In what promises to be a very different season for Anthony Lynn’s team, tight end Hunter Henry could wind up being one of the constants. Granted that means playing in all 16 games for the first time in his brief career. And of course, the Chargers settling on a different quarterback other than Rivers for the first time since 2005.