Why it is imperative that the LA Chargers re-sign Hunter Henry
By Jason Reed
2. Hunter Henry will be huge for Justin Herbert’s development
This is something that should hammer the point home for anyone that is doubtful of the team re-signing Hunter Henry, but I have one more point after this as well.
Henry was one of Justin Herbert’s favorite targets last season and it is huge for a rookie quarterback to not only have a top pass-catching tight end, but to have weapons in every area of the offense.
How many quarterbacks can say that they legitimately have a top-tier target in the receiving corps, the tight end position and at the running back position? Very few quarterbacks can say that and keeping it that way will be massive for Herbert.
There are plenty of things that Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco need to accomplish this offseason but at the center of them all is Justin Herbert. It is simply bad business to let one of your young quarterback’s favorite targets to walk away in free agency — especially when you have your quarterback on his rookie contract!
Henry made 60 receptions on 93 targets for 613 yards and four touchdowns last season. Keenan Allen was the only player that Herbert targeted more. Henry was seventh in total targets among tight ends last season and if he would have played the last two games, at the same pace, he would have finished with 106 — the fifth most.
The LA Chargers have to keep Hunter Henry in the fold for the sake of Justin Herbert, even if they have to overpay a little. This is especially true because of my third point.