LA Chargers: Five reasons to not re-sign Hunter Henry

5. Hunter Henry is not enough of a top-tier tight end to warrant the contract

I’ve covered most of the topics that I think matter when looking at tight end play, such as blocking, consistency, and being able to stay on the field. When looking at the top five or so tight ends in each respective category, I just don’t think Henry is good enough to warrant a contract that would make him the highest-paid tight end in the league, or just about that.

As a receiving tight end, I don’t think he’s as good as Kelce, Kittle, Zach Ertz, or Mark Andrews. In terms of consistency, he doesn’t bring it from game to game like those top tier tight ends do. In terms of blocking last year, Henry wasn’t even top 10 amongst tight ends and the Chargers were afraid to use him as a pass blocker due to injury history.

The tight end market is rapidly changing. The LA Chargers aren’t getting Henry on a team-friendly deal, barring another injury. Henry is going to want that Kelce/Kittle money.

Things could change in 2020, as I’ve said with all of the Chargers’ contract situations, but it’s hard to see such a dramatic improvement happening for Henry to the point where I’d feel comfortable with Tom Telesco backing up the brinks truck for him.

Henry needs to be dominant in more than a few categories to warrant a big contract. Right now I simply don’t think he’s top five in many tight end rankings, let alone not being a top ten or even fifteen tight end as a blocker.

Ultimately, injuries, consistency, and blocking are currently my big issues with Henry’s game. Those issues are compounded in the debate of re-signing him when you look at next year’s tight end draft class and the amount the Chargers would have to spend to keep Henry.

Do you think the Chargers should keep Henry? Let me know in the comments down below.