Carolina Panthers former tight end Hayden Hurst (81) Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Insider speculates TE could reunite with Bengals, Joe Burrow

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/5/24

It was reported on Tuesday that one of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's former top targets, Hayden Hurst, was expected to be released by the Panthers.

By cutting TE Hayden Hurst, the #Panthers will take on $9.8M in dead money. Carolina has him on the books for $5.75M guaranteed this season, but they're absorbing that cost to move on. https://t.co/eVWDJByFuV
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 5, 2024

Hurst is just one season into his three-year, $21.75M deal with Carolina and Joe Person of The Athletic speculated that a reunion between he and Burrow could happen.

Hurst missed the last eight games after sustaining a concussion in Chicago. Said after the season he was cleared. Will be interesting to see if Bengals might bring him back. https://t.co/7oVpUn7BQ9
— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 5, 2024

Hurst only spent one season with the Bengals in 2022 but helped them reach the AFC Championship Game. Hurst contended with an array of offensive weapons in Cincinnati that year like wideouts Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, and running back Joe Mixon, but gave Burrow a solid security blanket through the regular season and playoffs.

The former first-round pick finished fifth on the team in targets (68), receptions (52) and receiving yards (414) despite missing four games and added 13 catches for 141 yards and one score in three postseason contests.

Hurst joined the Panthers last March, and after a fast start with five receptions (including a touchdown) in Week 1, the veteran's production slowed down over the next two months.

The 30-year-old suffered a serious head injury in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, an ailment that was later diagnosed as post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). Hurst missed the rest of the season and was placed on season-ending injured reserve in December.

He finished the 2023 campaign with 18 catches for 184 receiving yards and one touchdown on 32 targets across nine games.

More must-reads: