‘I’m going to only nonetheless be who I’m’: Not a lot modifications for Hunter Henry as Patriots’ group captain

Patriots

Henry is without doubt one of the Patriots’ six captains named for 2023.

Hunter Henry is getting into his third 12 months with the Patriots as a group captain. (AP Photograph/Steven Senne)

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The Patriots introduced their 2023 group captains on Friday, and just one member was new to the management group: Hunter Henry. Regardless of that, the tight finish says little or no will change for him in his new position.

“I’m going to only nonetheless be who I’m and simply attempt to be as constant as I can,” Henry informed reporters Friday. “Perhaps stepping up and speaking a little bit bit extra, possibly a little bit bit extra vocal. However, on the identical time, I really feel like I’ve been that approach in any case.”

Although Henry is new to the Patriots captain group this season, it’s not his first time taking up a management position. The Los Angeles Chargers named him a group captain for the primary time in 2020. The next offseason, Henry signed with New England.

Now getting into 12 months three as a Patriot, Henry sees the progress he’s produced from day one to now.

“I really feel like I’ve grown quite a bit, this place has challenged me in a number of methods,” Henry mentioned. “After I first obtained right here, I may need been a little bit uncomfortable in a approach, and I feel [New England] pushed me to get out of my consolation zone in a number of methods, and it was for the higher.”

The advantages of his time as a Patriot and dwelling within the space prolong to Henry’s private life, too.

“I’ve had two children right here in Boston and New England, so this place will all the time have a particular place for me beginning my household,” Henry mentioned. “So, each on and off the sector, I’ve grown a ton.”

Henry joins Mac Jones, David Andrews, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Deatrich Smart Jr., and Matthew Slater to finish the group of captains. On Friday, Patriots head coach Invoice Belichick was complimentary of the six chosen for his or her onerous work in the course of the offseason.

“I feel it’s a very good group, happy with the fellows that the group chosen,” Belichick mentioned.

When requested about Henry particularly, Belichick applauded the tight finish’s angle and work ethic.

“He’s one among our greatest gamers, and he’s a reliable participant, sensible, makes a number of good selections, skilled,” Belichick mentioned. “The whole lot’s fairly good, on and off the sector. Properly revered.”

Henry is getting into his eighth 12 months within the NFL. In his first season with the Patriots in 2021, he totaled a career-high 9 touchdowns. Though his manufacturing dipped in 2022, he nonetheless completed with over 500 receiving yards. The final time Henry didn’t register 500 receiving yards was in 2016, his rookie season.

This 12 months, New England added Mike Gesicki to create a tandem with Henry, bolstering Mac Jones’ offensive weapons.