NFL veteran tight end Hayden Hurst signed a new contract with the Carolina Panthers. Hurst, a former first-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the Cincinnati Bengals but has also played for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons.
The #Panthers are expected to sign former #Bengals TE and first-round pick Hayden Hurst, source said. Another weapon for their new QB (whoever that is).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2023
Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers, Agree to Contract
Hurst is coming off yet another reliable season at tight end. During his first year with the Cincinnati Bengals, the five-year veteran recorded 52 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns on 68 targets while helping the team advance all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
Hayden Hurst originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens, the South Carolina product spent the majority of his rookie season in a reserve role. Appearing in 12 games without making a start, Hurst finished his inaugural season with 13 receptions for 163 yards and one touchdown on 23 targets.
Hurst’s production increased in Year 2. Catching passes from a unanimous MVP in Lamar Jackson, the second-year tighten end finished the year with 30 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns on 39 targets. While Hurst did show an ability to play, fellow second-year tight end Mark Andrews clearly usurped him on the depth chart. Following the season, the Ravens traded Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons.
The change of scenery proved to do wonders for Hurst’s career, as he responded with the best season of his career. Appearing in all 16 games while making nine starts, Hurst ended up setting career highs in receptions (56), yards (571), touchdowns, (six), and targets (88).
Unfortunately, Hayden Hurst was unable to replace that success during the final year of his contract. After the Falcons selected Kyle Pitts with the fourth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Hurst became a smaller part of the offense and finished the 2021 season with just 26 receptions for 221 yards and three touchdowns on 31 targets.
Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar – USA Today Sports
