The Facts: The Chargers will have a new quarterback in 2020. They hope to arm that quarterback with a tight end known for his abilities as both a receiver and blocker. With that stated goal, the team is negotiating with Hunter Henry on an extension as the veteran approaches the start of free agency next week. If the Chargers are unable to lock up Henry long term, they could use their franchise tag on him to guarantee his services for this coming season. The deadline for such a move is Thursday.

Diehards Line:Franchise-tagging Henry would cost the Chargers about $11 million, a relatively modest sum for a player coming off his most productive season overall. He caught 55 passes for 652 yards and five touchdowns, missing four games because of injury. In three seasons — he sat out all but one game in 2018 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament — Henry has scored 17 touchdowns. Keeping their top tight end is a priority as the Chargers transition away from Philip Rivers, their starting quarterback for all 235 games the franchise has played since 2006. Whoever is throwing the ball for the Chargers in 2020, one of his targets should be Henry, regardless of how the team goes about retaining him.