Hernandez emerged as a dynamic playmaker who could exploit defenses once he touched the ball. There are accounts from within the Patriots’ organization about how attention to Hernandez’s targets could swing a game. In a story recounted by former Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, Bill O’Brien, a longtime Patriots coach, reportedly faced a moment during a fall camp when Hernandez wasn’t heavily targeted. The next morning, O’Brien’s whiteboard carried a bold directive: “Throw the ball to Hernandez” written repeatedly. The implication from the tale is that Hernandez had made a case for more opportunities, and the coach acknowledged that prioritizing him could help win games.
The Patriots drafted two tight ends in 2010: Gronkowski in the second round (42nd overall) and Hernandez in the fourth round (113th overall). Initially, Hernandez was designated as the third tight end on the depth chart. Despite that, he quickly became a central figure on offense. In his first season with the team, Hernandez appeared in 14 games, started seven, and finished with 45 receptions for 563 yards and 6 touchdowns. Gronkowski appeared in 16 games, starting 11, with 42 receptions for 546 yards and 10 touchdowns.
As Hernandez continued to develop, he earned a larger role and became a regular starter. His impact, combined with Gronkowski’s, helped the Patriots assemble a historically productive tight end duo. The season in question saw Gronkowski setting a personal best with 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the league in receiving touchdowns. Hernandez supplied 79 receptions for 910 yards and 7 touchdowns, both career highs at the time.
Together, Gronkowski and Hernandez became the first tight end pair in NFL history to each post at least five receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons for the same team. They also set league records for a tight end duo with 169 receptions, 2,237 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns in that span. What began as a lighthearted request to feature Hernandez more prominently evolved into Hernandez delivering what would become the best season of his career.
Hernandez’s career with the Patriots, however, was later overshadowed by off-field issues that cut his NFL tenure short.
In summary, the Patriots’ early-2010s pairing of Gronkowski and Hernandez not only showcased the effectiveness of dual-tight-end formations but also highlighted how a specific player demand—when backed by coaching trust—can influence how targets are distributed and how a season’s success can unfold. The legacy of their collaboration remains a benchmark for tight end usage and offensive versatility in the league.
