Cincinnati — Next Monday, when the NFL season officially begins, the Panthers will release former Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst. Should Cincinnati bring the seasoned tight end back?
With 52 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, Hurst had one of his best seasons to date. He played a key role in the Bengals’ AFC Championship Game run.
Hurst agreed to a $31 million, three-year contract with the Panthers in March of last year. In nine games for Carolina, he caught 18 passes for 184 yards and one score, but in Week 10, he suffered a concussion that ended his season and post-traumatic amnesia.
He is prepared to continue his profession now that his injury has been medically cleared.
Hurst wrote, “Healthier than I’ve ever been,” in an Instagram remark. “Got cleared at the end of the season.”
Last offseason, the Bengals expressed interest in re-signing him, but in the end, he was able to secure one of the best contracts available to tight ends. It’s possible that they will get back together in the coming weeks.
Hurst can still talk with teams because he is scheduled to be released on March 13 even though he is not yet a free agent.
