Report: Hunter Henry 'Likely' to Receive Franchise Tag by Chargers Ahead of FA

The Los Angeles Chargers are hopeful of agreeing to a long-term deal with tight end Hunter Henry but would likely use the franchise tag on him in the event negotiations broke down, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Having missed all but one game for the Chargers in 2018, Henry appeared in 12 games this past season, catching 55 passes for 652 yards and five touchdowns.

The franchise tag would pay Henry a little over $11 million in 2020, per Over the Cap. That would represent a significant raise on his $1.2 million base salary for 2019.

The Boston Globe's Ben Volin reported Henry might be a target for the New England Patriots but that a reunion with the Chargers appears the most likely outcome to his offseason.

The 25-year-old's injury history makes a long-term deal a risky proposition. He missed one game as a rookie in 2016 and then two games in 2017 before a torn ACL left him unavailable for the 2018 regular season. His receptions and receiving yards in 2019 were career highs, but his tibia plateau fracture raised more questions about his durability.

When healthy, Henry is a productive pass-catcher. He's averaging 8.9 yards per target and has 17 touchdowns in 41 games, per Pro Football Reference.

With Philip Rivers moving on, keeping Henry would make the Chargers' passing game more appealing to free-agent quarterbacks.

Although the franchise tag would be expensive in the short term, it's arguably the most sensible option for Los Angeles. 

If Henry can play a full 16-game season in 2020, then he will have earned a lucrative multiyear contract, be it with the Chargers or another team.