The New England Patriots scratched together a tougher-than-it-should-have-been win against the New York Jets, 26-19 at Gillette Stadium. In a topsy-turvy tilt, star receiver A.J. Brown made his highly anticipated return, and it was a forgettable one.
Yet one player, among others, distinguished himself in the win: Hunter Henry, who's now unquestionably established as one of the Patriots' best tight ends ever.
Henry caught four passes for 42 yards and a massive touchdown, helping cement the win over the Jets.
In the process, the now-sixth-year Patriots tight end made history.
With his 16-yard reception in the second quarter, @Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has moved past Russ Francis into third place on the team’s all-time receiving yards list among tight ends. He entered today's game with 3,150 receiving yards as a Patriot. pic.twitter.com/ZnhLQATCYo
— Patriots Communications (@PatriotsComms) October 18, 2026
New England Patriots Hunter Henry is rewriting team history
The now 31-year-old Henry has been a stalwart since being signed as a free agent in 2021, one of Bill Belichick's best. Henry has 278 catches, 3,198 yards, and 21 touchdowns, including one against the Jets in Week 6 of 2026 that helped seal the win.
Henry is fast becoming a Patriots legend, and overtaking Russ Francis, considered the prototype Gronk, is a major achievement. Now, only Rob Gronkowski and Ben Coates top him in receptions.
Younger Patriots fans won't remember Francis, or maybe even Coates, but Rob Gronkowski is remembered, and he's the best at the position ever.
But in Patriots history, there was Gronk, Coates, and now Henry, who's eclipsed Francis at No. 3 on the all-time list of Patriots receivers by receiving yards.
As they did today, when Henry notched 4 catches for 48 yards and a key touchdown pass from Drake Maye to take out the Jets, the Patriots will be relying on Henry to produce as he has throughout his career in Patriots blue, silver, and red.
The Patriots have righted the ship after a 1-2 start and now sit at 4-2, but they'll still have to overcome the always-tough Bills to win their second consecutive AFC title.
Hunter Henry has served as Drake Maye's security blanket target since Maye entered the scene in 2024. Until A.J. Brown finds his reliable hands again, he'll likely remain Maye's safety valve, not only for critical first downs but also for game-winning touchdowns.
Henry has already established himself in the Patriots' record books, and at only 31, he'll add many more to those totals and accolades in the future.
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