Most indications have been that the Chargers hope to strike a long-term deal with TE Hunter Henry after placing the franchise tag on him earlier this offseason.
However, Henry said he would be fine playing out the 2020 season on the fully-guaranteed $10.6 million tender if it came to that.
“I think it’s fine,” Henry told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Obviously, I think I would like to get something done; just security, and long term and just with the team and the franchise. It’s another year of playing football, man, that’s how I look at it.”
The two sides have plenty of time to negotiate, with the deadline to sign players to a long-term deal on the franchise tag not until July 15.
Henry has already signed the tag, which means he can’t hold out without being fined. It also means the Chargers can’t rescind the tag if negotiations don’t go well like the Panthers did a few seasons back with CB Josh Norman.
Henry has deal with some injuries during his NFL career so far, but he’s still one of the better young tight ends in the league and someone Los Angeles would likely prefer to keep around first-round QB Justin Herbert as he develops.
Henry, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Chargers back in 2016. He just finished his four-year, $6.38 million contract that included $3.98 million guaranteed and made a base salary of $1.32 million over the final year of the agreement.
Henry will be an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
In 2019, Henry appeared in 12 games for the Chargers and caught 55 passes for 652 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 12 tight end out of 67 qualifying players.
We’ll have more on negotiations between Henry and the Chargers as the news is available.
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