Story by
Veteran TE Hayden Hurst retires after seven seasons in NFL
- Story by
- Veteran TE Hayden Hurst retires after seven seasons in NFL
Veteran tight end Hayden Hurst has announced his retirement. Hurst is leaving the NFL after seven seasons, according to Ari Meirov.
Hayden Hurst's NFL career
Hurst started his career with the Baltimore Ravens , who drafted him with the 25th pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Through two years with the Ravens, Hurst totaled 512 yards and three touchdowns on 43 receptions.
Advertisement
However, 2018 third-round pick Mark Andrews emerged as the Ravens' starter and made the Pro Bowl in his second season (2019). With Andrews earning the starting job, the Ravens traded Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons for a fourth-round pick in the 2020 offseason.
MORE: Broncos retain 27-year old running back for two more years
In his first season with the Falcons, Hurst achieved a career-high 571 yards and six touchdowns on 56 receptions. Hurst lost the starting job to 2021 first-round pick Kyle Pitts that year.
The Falcons declined to exercise Hurst's fifth-year option in the 2021 offseason, making him a free agent by the 2022 offseason. He signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals , and he recorded 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Bengals didn't re-sign him, and he entered free agency in 2023.
Advertisement
Beginning of the End
Hurst signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Tragically, Hurst suffered a concussion in Week 10 of the 2023 season. Later, on December 6, 2023, Hurst's father, Jerry Hurst, tweeted that the tight end was dealing with post-traumatic amnesia from that concussion. As a result, the Panthers placed him on season-ending injured reserve on December 15 and cut him in the 2024 offseason.
Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) celebrates with tight end Hayden Hurst (88) after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
More: NFC West team claims Mike Evans after 12-year Buccaneers career
He spent his final season in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, where he totaled just eight receptions for 73 yards. After remaining unsigned throughout the 2025 season, he has decided to hang up the cleats. In his entire NFL career, Hurst finished with 1,902 yards and 15 touchdowns on 195 receptions.
Advertisement
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
NFL: 5 most overrated NFL free agents hitting the market in 2026
MLB: What drug did Jurickson Profar take? MLB announces PED use
SPORTS MEDIA: Stephen A. Smith bashes underwhelming NBA star as 'food addict'
VIRAL: NBC delivers epic nostalgia with 'Throwback Tuesday' NBA broadcast
WORLD CUP: Will Iran compete in the 2026 World Cup? Donald Trump weighs in
WNBA: Players, union leaders divided, claims letter from 2-time MVP and 4-time All-Star
The post Veteran TE Hayden Hurst retires after seven seasons in NFL appeared first on The Big Lead .
