Veteran tight end Hayden Hurst has decided to retire after an impactful seven-year journey in the NFL, as confirmed by insider Ari Meirov.
Hayden Hurst’s NFL Journey
Hurst's professional adventure began when the Baltimore Ravens selected him as the 25th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. During his two seasons with the Ravens, he amassed 512 yards and three touchdowns on 43 receptions. However, the emergence of 2018 third-round pick Mark Andrews, who quickly became a Pro Bowl starter by 2019, prompted the Ravens to trade Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2020 offseason for a fourth-round pick.
In Atlanta, Hurst found his stride, achieving a career-high with 571 yards and six touchdowns on 56 receptions during his debut season. Yet, the arrival of first-round pick Kyle Pitts in 2021 saw Hurst lose his starting role.
The Falcons chose not to exercise Hurst’s fifth-year option in 2021, leading him to free agency by 2022. He then signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he recorded 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a solid performance, the Bengals opted not to re-sign him, and Hurst hit the free-agent market again in 2023.
The Final Chapters
In 2023, Hurst signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, his season was marred by a concussion in Week 10, which led to post-traumatic amnesia, as revealed by his father, Jerry Hurst, on December 6, 2023. This setback led the Panthers to place him on injured reserve on December 15, and he was released in the 2024 offseason.
Hurst spent his final NFL season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, posting eight receptions for 73 yards. After remaining unsigned throughout 2025, Hurst has chosen to retire. He concludes his NFL career with impressive stats: 1,902 yards and 15 touchdowns on 195 receptions.
As Hurst steps away from the game, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience and adaptability, marking his place in the league's history.