Over the course of his NFL career, Hunter Henry has played with plenty of different quarterbacks. That includes the likes of Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert with the Los Angeles Chargers to Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Brian Hoyer, Jacoby Brissett, and eventually Drake Maye with the New England Patriots.
That type of experience is rare in any sport, but it’s also given Henry plenty of perspective. In particular, how different quarterbacks develop.
With the offseason program underway for the Patriots, Henry took some time to share his own thoughts on Maye, particularly as it relates to his development. There, he explained that with more experience, and a second year in the same offensive system, he should take another stride forward.
“There’s not enough good things I could say about Drake… The underrated thing that he has this year is going into year two in this system… It was kinda just learning as we go throughout a whole season, and you saw the product that he put out there. So, to have a whole offseason to be in the same scheme and really build on what he did last year, I’m excited to kinda see the jump and see the progress he can make on a day-to-day basis,” Henry said.
In his first year working in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ offense, Maye managed to finish second in MVP voting. Assuming Henry is right, and Maye manages to take another massive stride, there’s no telling just how much he can accomplish.
Drake Maye on the Lesson He Learned From the New England Patriots Super Bowl Loss
GettyNew England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye
There is no doubt in anyone’s minds that the Super Bowl didn’t go the way Drake Maye or anyone on the New England Patriots wanted it to go. Still, there is always a silver lining. For Maye, that’s an opportunity to learn.
“It’s humbling,” Maye said. “You got to get back to work. When you’re so close and within reach, you want that feeling. Everybody says you’ll be back. It’s not that easy, so we got to get back to work. And I’m looking forward to try to prove to myself that I can get back.”
There is never a promise that a team will get back to the Super Bowl. Hopefully, Maye knows this and is putting in that work that he needs to do this offseason. Combine that with another year mastering the McDaniels’ offense, and it’s hard not to be confident.
The Patriots Added a Tight End for Maye in the NFL Draft
GettyNew England Patriots draft pick Eli Raridon
Hunter Henry is returning to the Patriots. This comes as he is starting to age and seemed to slow down in the later weeks of the 2025 season. So, looking to the future, the Patriots would add a new tight end in the NFL Draft.
Eli Raridon, who is coming out of Notre Dame, became the Patriots’ third-round pick. Even with some injury issues in college, including multiple ACL tears, he flashed a lot of talent as both a pass catcher and a blocker. He also has a frame that looks like he can continue adding weight to. So, there’s reason to hope for the future at that spot.
Hunter Henry knows he has a responsibility now to Raridon. In particular, to be a leader for him as he transitions to the NFL.
“I’m always trying to be a leader,” Henry said. “I had some good vets when I was young… I’m gonna be there for him… What a blessing it is to get drafted, and we’re excited to add him to the room. He can bring a lot of value…”
Certainly, Drake Maye will be happy to have another weapon to throw to. Assuming Raridon catches on quickly with the guidance of a player like Henry, then there are also plenty of options to see them on the field together in the next year or so.
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