Patriots TE Hunter Henry talks 'fresh start' under OC Bill O’Brien

Tight end Hunter Henry was among the New England Patriots who spent the offseason working with quarterback Mac Jones as they prepare to play under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien this season.

"Me and Mac are close. We spend a good amount of time together. We’ve been throwing, getting after it, just trying to get ready to go," Henry told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. "I think everyone’s excited for a fresh start and a fresh season. Everybody will be fired up and be ready to go." 

O'Brien used "fresh start" and "clean slate" lines regarding Henry, Jones and other players ahead of this year's NFL Draft. This came after New England's offense often failed to impress throughout the 2022 campaign under assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. According to ESPN stats, the Patriots finished last regular season ranked 26th with an average of 314.6 offensive yards per game.

Henry, meanwhile, was third on the team with 41 catches, 59 targets and 509 receiving yards. He also contributed two touchdown catches. 

"I’m pumped, man," Henry added about reporting for training camp on July 25. "You get here and it feels like the offseason flew by, but you’re excited because football is finally back. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but excited for it." 

Drama hovered over the Patriots throughout an offseason filled with rumors regarding the alleged deteriorating relationship between Jones and head coach Bill Belichick. It's even thought that team owner Robert Kraft could consider moving on from Belichick next winter if Jones doesn't reclaim the form that made him a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie just two seasons ago. 

As of Thursday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Patriots as massive betting underdogs at +900 odds to win the AFC East title in 2023.