Patriots tight end Hunter Henry set a new career-high this season with 712 receiving yards, topping his previous best of 674 yards set during the 2024 campaign.
Despite being the fourth-oldest player on the team's roster, Henry told MassLive's Mark Daniels that he feels he's still improving, and pointed to second-year quarterback Drake Maye as part of the reason why.
"I’m always trying to get better, always trying to improve year in and year out. As you get older, sometimes they think you don’t have it as much, but I feel like I’m still getting better. I feel like I’m still trying to improve. And obviously playing with [Maye], that helps things."Hunter Henry
According to Mike Kadlick of Sports Illustrated, Henry had further praise for Maye, saying of the young signal caller's passing accuracy: “I've caught the easiest touchdowns of my life this year.”
Henry's big year includes impressive numbers in other statistical categories
Beyond posting the highest receiving yardage total out of his 10 NFL seasons this year, Henry has recorded his third-most touchdown receptions (7), while matching both his third-highest catch total (55) and second-highest yards-per-catch average (12.9).
A Patriots team captain in four of his five seasons with New England, Henry has also been praised by the coaching staff for his leadership on a young roster, leading the way as one of franchise's longest tenured players.
"[Henry is] an incredible teammate. He’s one of our most respected workers on our team. Without question, every day, ready to go, takes good care of his body, is able to go out there and rep things at full speed. After so many years of being in the league, I think he’s continuing to get better at things, which is an incredible example for our younger players. He’s dependable, he studies, he’s well prepared."Josh McDaniels
Patriots will need Henry at his best for the postseason
Though Henry has had one of his best NFL seasons this year, he's also experienced a few key drops in recent weeks, including what would have been a third-and-12 conversion against the Buffalo Bills in Week 15.
However, he bounced back well in his last game out against the New York Jets, hauling in all three of his targets for 49 yards and a score before the team decided to rest him and many of the other starters shortly after halftime of the Patriots' eventual 42-10 blowout victory.
Checking back in on my Hunter Henry prediction midway through this Patriots vs Jets game.
— Jack Aylmer (@Jack_Aylmer) December 28, 2025
He’s got 2 grabs (a third was called back on a penalty) and a TD at half. Looks like Mike Vrabel might want to pour it on though so those numbers could still improve despite a 35-3 NE lead. https://t.co/QCBT0juDq0
For the Patriots, it was a good sign to see Henry bring in everything that came his way during the Jets game, especially since New England could need him to be one of their top receivers during the fast-approaching playoffs, with availability concerns swirling around some of their other pass catchers.
Kayshon Boutte missed the game against New York as he makes his way through concussion protocol, Mack Hollins landed on injured reserve before the contest, which makes him unable to play until the AFC championship game, and Stefon Diggs was recently charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, leaving his postseason status uncertain.
Those question marks could mean Henry will play an even bigger role in the Patriots' passing attack during the playoffs than previously anticipated, and their postseason success may hinge on how he steps up.