Hunter Henry explains why he chose to stay with Patriots

Patriots tight end Hunter Henry spoke with reporters on Tuesday about why he agreed to a three-year deal with New England in March instead of testing free agency.

"I just wanted to be here," Henry explained, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive. "I’m excited. I love this locker room. I love this area. I love this fan base. I love this organization. I’ll just keep reiterating — I wanted to be a part of this. I didn’t like how last year went, how the last two years have been. I want to be a part of that change." 

Few would've blamed Henry, 29, for wanting to cash in on a change of scenery this offseason. The 2023 Patriots went 4-13. Quarterback Mac Jones, who had a good relationship with Henry, is now with the Jacksonville Jaguars. New England has a new head coach in Jerod Mayo, a new offensive coordinator in Alex Van Pelt and a QB in Jacoby Brissett. However, Brissett will likely be replaced as the starter, with the Patriots owning the third pick of the 2024 QB-heavy NFL Draft.

Much has been made about what Mayo will and won't be following in the footsteps of legendary coach Bill Belichick. Before Mayo first became New England's linebackers coach in 2019, he played under Belichick from 2008 through 2015. 

"He’s been in our seats — literally been where we are and played and also been a coach, too," Henry said about Mayo, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "...So, I think just that from your leader, seeing both sides to it and understanding us a little bit, too, and what we want, and, maybe, listening to us, is good. He’s been exactly where we are, so he knows what we want, knows kind of how things go. So I think him just [having] that player experience is big for us." 

Belichick's alleged inability "to relate to this generation of players" may have been one reason Patriots owner Robert Kraft decided to move on after his team missed the playoffs for a third time in four years. Perhaps Mayo will show that the New England locker room needed a different authority figure following Belichick's 24-season reign.