The Los Angeles Chargers franchise-tagged Hunter Henry prior to free agency and the pass-catching tight end has made it official. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Henry is signing his franchise tag with Los Angeles on Monday.
Meanwhile… #Chargers TE Hunter Henry is signing his franchise tag today, source said. Not a surprise, but it locks him in for 2020 and guarantees his roughly $10M salary.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 13, 2020
As a result of signing the franchise tag, Henry is set to make $10.6 million in base salary. That will make him the highest-paid tight end for the 2020 season, for the time being.
Henry is coming off the best season of his career in 2019, recording 55 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns. With Philip Rivers departing in free agency, the Chargers made it a priority to retain Henry. Therefore, whoever is under center next season has an array of weapons at his disposal.
While Henry has proven he's a talented tight end, he's also had injury woes so far in his career. The Arkansas product has failed to play in all 16 games of a season in his four years in the NFL. Altogether, Henry has missed 23 games in his career, including the entire 2018 season.
At the least, by keeping Henry on the franchise tag, the Chargers get the 2020 season to get a better look at him in the offense. In the event that he stays healthy and produces, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he signs long-term with Los Angeles next offseason.
Given that Henry signed his franchise tag, that could raise the asking price for guys like Travis Kelce and George Kittle in the next couple of years. Even though Henry could have waited to sign the franchise tag, he isn't wasting any time making sure he's with the Chargers in 2020.
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