LA Chargers: Ranking 3 potential tight ends to replace Hunter Henry

It is official. Hunter Herny’s tenure with the LA Chargers is officially over. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday morning that Henry agreed to terms on a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the New England Patriots with $25 million guaranteed.

There are several interesting things about this signing. First is the fact that Bill Belichick has been clamoring over Hunter Henry for several years and made it very apparent that he wanted to coach him at the NFL level. He is going to do just that.

The Patriots were not viewed as threats to sign Henry after bringing in Jonnu Smith on an even larger, four-year, $50 million contract on Monday. However, the Patriots are going back to the two-tight end sets that they previously dominated with.

The money is very interesting as well. After Smith signed, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Henry would get more. I personally predicted Henry to get a four-year, $52 million contract. While this actual contract pays him just half a million less than my proposed contract, I am really surprised that Henry’s agent could not get a fourth year done.

Henry is a better all-around tight end than Smith. That can be debated, but I prefer Henry.

It is also interesting considering earlier this offseason Henry said that he wanted to play somewhere where there is a good quarterback. Does he know that Cam Newton was re-signed to be the quarterback in New England?

Sure, the possibility of Mac Jones is there, but I am not huge on Jones myself and even that will be a work in progress.

Now the LA Chargers must turn their attention to finding a replacement

The LA Chargers are going to need to bring in tight end help this offseason. Donald Parham is a solid passing target but he is still too raw to be an every-down tight end because of the blocking responsibilities. Stephen Anderson must be re-signed, but those two still need help.

The 2021 NFL Draft is an option but with other roster needs it seems more likely that the Chargers will turn to an experienced tight end instead of bringing in a rookie.

There are three names that I would watch, one of which is a sleeper. Here are those three tight ends ranked by preference.