Longtime NFL veteran tight end Hayden Hurst signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Hurst spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
We are excited to announce that #TeamESM client @haydenrhurst has agreed to terms with the @Bengals on a 1-year deal! #WhoDey pic.twitter.com/T3AhQRGFZK
— EnterSports Management (@EnterSportsMgmt) March 17, 2022
More Leaguewide News: Jacoby Brissett Signs Contract With Browns
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals, Agree to Contract
Hurst played his second season with the Falcons in 2021. He played in 13 games with five starts. While he missed four games late in the season, he also saw diminished action due to stand-out rookie Kyle Pitts. Hurst finished the 2021 season with 26 catches on 31 targets for 226 yards and three touchdowns. His best performance came against the New York Jets in week five. Hurst had four catches on five targets with a touchdown in that game. He saw a 20 percent decrease in snaps compared to the 2020 season, only playing in 50 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Hurst also played nine special teams snaps in 2021.
The 2020 season was Hurst’s first with the Falcons and his most productive as a pro. He played in all 16 games and started in nine. He recorded 56 receptions on 88 targets for 571 yards and six touchdowns; all career highs. He had to fight for touches, as Todd Gurley, Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones, and Russell Gage were all significant contributors. However, he still had a career-high of 786 offensive snaps, which accounted for 70 percent of the team’s offensive plays.
Hurst saw increased usage in his sophomore campaign of 2019 compared to his rookie season. He played in 16 games, starting in four. Also, Hurst played in 41 percent of the Ravens offensive snaps, which was a 10 percent increase. Hurst had 30 receptions on 39 targets for 349 yards and two touchdowns. He was the team’s third-leading receiver behind Mark Andrews and Marqise Brown.
Hurst’s usage in his rookie season was limited, as he saw just 275 offensive snaps, good for 31 percent of the Ravens snaps on offense. He caught 13 passes on 23 targets for 163 yards and one score in 2018.
The Baltimore Ravens drafted Hurst 25th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Hurst played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college and is originally from Jacksonville, Florida.
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