LA Chargers: 3 options to replace Hunter Henry if he walks
By Jason Reed
Tight end Hunter Henry is back on the free-agent market after the LA Chargers franchise-tagged the tight end last offseason. The franchise tag made a lot of sense last year as the team still wanted Henry to prove that he could stay healthy, something that he accomplished in 2020.
Henry only missed two games in the 2020 season and they both came in the last two weeks of the year as he was put on the COVID-19/reserve list. That is something that you cannot blame Henry for in the slightest.
A franchise tag this offseason does not make sense for the team. Franchise-tagging Henry for the second consecutive season would put his 2021 salary at $12.7 million. The Chargers can pay less in 2021 by extending him, plus, they get that long-term commitment as well.
The LA Chargers will have competition for Hunter Henry this offseason.
Henry is the best tight end available in free agency this offseason and is one of the best overall free agents. He is absolutely going to have a market at only 26 years old.
The Chargers’ plan A absolutely has to be to re-sign Henry. However, they also need to develop other plans if Henry gets a more lucrative option elsewhere that they simply cannot match.
While there are far more than three differerent players that the team can replace Henry with, there are essentially three different routes that the team can take and I will bring you my favorite player in each of those routes.
Let’s start with free agency.