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Patriots Star Restructures Contract, Frees Up $7 Million in Cap Space

Patriots Star Restructures Contract, Frees Up $7 Million in Cap Space

Foxborough, September 19, 2025

The New England Patriots have finalized a contract restructure with veteran tight end Hunter Henry, freeing up approximately $7 million in salary cap space to enhance financial flexibility for the 2025 NFL season. This move, confirmed by multiple sources, comes as the Patriots face a series of injuries at key positions and prepare for potential midseason trades.

Hunter Henry

Hunter Henry, who joined the Patriots in 2021, agreed to adjust his contract by converting a portion of his base salary into a signing bonus, while also adding performance-based incentive clauses for both individual and team achievements. This agreement not only eases the pressure on the salary cap but also ensures the retention of one of the team’s key offensive weapons.

“Restructuring Hunter’s contract provides us with the necessary flexibility to strengthen our roster,” General Manager Eliot Wolf stated. “He is a leader in the locker room and embodies the dedication that reflects the Patriots’ values.”

Currently, the Patriots hold a 1-1 record after the first two weeks of the season, with a victory over the Miami Dolphins and a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The team is facing challenges in its offense due to a lack of depth at the wide receiver position, heavily relying on new additions like Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins. Ongoing issues with injuries and the integration of rookies continue to impact the Patriots’ offensive performance. In this context, Hunter Henry is expected to remain a critical anchor in Head Coach Jerod Mayo’s offensive system, particularly in the red zone, where he has proven effective with his reliable catching ability.

Financially, the $7 million in cap savings could be used by the Patriots to acquire a high-quality defensive player or to extend contracts with promising rookies on the roster. Henry, 30 years old, expressed enthusiasm about the new agreement:

“New England is my second home. I am committed to giving my all to help this team return to the championship race.”

Heading into Week 3 with a crucial matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots are showing determination to maintain their competitiveness in the AFC East. With the newly freed-up cap space, the team is well-positioned to make strategic moves, aiming for a playoff berth and, ultimately, a Super Bowl run.

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Right After Being Promoted to the 53-Man Roster, Patriots Rookie Stuns Everyone by Revealing He Once Bluntly Turned Down a “Massive Contract” from the Bills for One Single Reason: “I love this team.”
Foxborough, Massachusetts. Today The Patriots didn’t just keep a high-potential rookie on the 53-man roster. They kept a loyal player, someone who believes in this organization even when standing in front of a much bigger contract from a division rival. Defensive rookie Bradyn Swinson has become the story that moves the entire Patriots Nation when he revealed he once turned down “an extremely massive offer” from the Buffalo Bills just to continue staying in New England. Swinson’s journey has changed dramatically in just a few months. Being a 5th-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and having had an impressive season at LSU with 8.5 sacks, he shocked many people when he was cut by the Patriots at the end of training camp. But instead of being disappointed, Swinson accepted to join the practice squad and threw himself into training under the guidance of head coach Mike Vrabel, while many teams — especially rivals in the AFC East — continuously approached with attractive offers. Among them, the Buffalo Bills were the most aggressive team, ready to put forward a big offer to pull Swinson straight into the active roster. But the young rookie affirmed he never wavered. In the sharing that touched the hearts of fans, he said: “I always thought I had a chance with this team. From the very first day I set foot in Foxborough, I already felt this was the place I belonged to. No matter how many offers, no matter how many attractive numbers were placed in front of me, my heart still chose to stay. I want to fight for this jersey, for the people who believed in me even when everything was no longer certain.” A sincere statement, enough to make the Patriots community choke with emotion at the dedication spirit of the 23-year-old rookie. This week, the Patriots officially signed Swinson to the 53-man roster — as a well-deserved reward for his perseverance and loyalty. This decision also came at the right time when defensive star Milton Williams has to miss at least four games due to an ankle injury, forcing the Patriots to find additional resources for the pass rush. Swinson will step into that role, not as a temporary solution, but as a player who has created his own opportunity through persistent effort. To Patriots Nation, the act of refusing money and opportunity from the Bills to stay in New England has meaning far beyond football. It recalls the era when the Patriots were built on loyalty, fighting spirit, and internal belief. One fan wrote: “Lâu lắm rồi mới có một người lựa chọn chúng ta như vậy.” And now, when the final opportunity has finally arrived, Bradyn Swinson is no longer just a rookie. He is the embodiment of the Patriots spirit.