Patriots Player Spotlight: Hunter Henry's Chemistry is Shining in New England

Photo Caption: Patriots tight-end Hunter Henry diving past Steelers safety Juan Thornhill and into the endzone for his second touchdown of the day in New England’s 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 21, 2025. Photo Credit: Robert F. Bukaty/AP

Foxboro, MA — The New England Patriots marched down the field in the middle of the second quarter, looking for something to go their way. They had turned the ball over twice to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers and found themselves down 14-0.

The Pats put together a solid drive. A mix of quick passes and runs by quarterback Drake Maye placed the ball at the Steelers’ five-yard line with a 1st & Goal situation.

As New England lined up, tight end Hunter Henry got into position. Henry had been Maye’s go-to guy in the previous two weeks of the season and led the team in receiving yards.

The ball was snapped, and the Steelers sent an all-out blitz. Maye faked a hand-off to Antonio Gibson before dropping back into his passing stance. 

Henry cut hard outside towards the front pylon with no one around him. Maye, seeing the open window, threw the ball to his trusty tight-end for the touchdown that put the Patriots on the board.

Once again, Henry proved to be the reliable option for Maye. He continued to get open fast and used his size to push through defenders. On the day he caught eight passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns were the only points the Patriots would score on the afternoon.

The Patriots' tight end, in his fifth year in New England, has had solid season after solid season. Since 2021, he has averaged at least 10 yards per catch and 21 touchdowns, being a reliable check-down and red zone option for quarterbacks Mac Jones and now Drake Maye. 

Henry was a solid anchor for the Patriots on Sunday when the rest of the team struggled with ball security. The Patriots turned the ball over five times for the first time since 2008, four of which were forced fumbles. 

It was an issue that continued to stall the Patriots' offense throughout the game, and Maye needed someone to rely on. Henry’s performance was a bright spot that slipped under the radar in a sloppy game for the Patriots. 

The emphasis post-game from both head coach Mike Vrabel and Maye was on the turnovers and the urgency to clean them up. Without the turnovers, the game likely would have fallen into the Patriots’ favor.

“We don't need to lose a football game to know that turnovers are very hard to overcome,” said Vrabel post-game. “They erase all the good things that you do. They take away momentum.”

While the turnovers were hard to overcome, the Patriots should not erase Henry’s performance. In the first few weeks of the season, he has proven why he is the Patriots' top tight end and how valuable he is to the offense, consistently producing yards and points. 

With the Patriots remaining in Foxboro to host the Panthers on Sunday, expect to see more good performances from #85. The chemistry between him and Maye is strong and building each week. Henry could be the key to the Patriots returning to a .500 record on the season. 

Thanks for reading!

New Patriots Player Spotlight article every Friday. For more Patriots content, check out our game previews and recaps before and after every Patriots game this season.

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-Joseph McLaughlin