Chargers expected to sign TE Hayden Hurst

After adding Will Dissly in the first wave of free agency, Los Angeles has doubled up at tight end.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, among others, reported Thursday that former Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst had a visit planned to LA with the intention to sign a contract for the 2024 season.

Hurst was released by Carolina Wednesday as part of a flurry of moves by the Panthers to shed veteran contracts. In nine games with the Panthers, he caught 18 passes for 184 yards and 1 touchdown, but his season was ended prematurely by a concussion in November. Carolina placed him on injured reserve in December, with Hurst and his family revealing that he had contracted post traumatic amnesia as a result of the injury. Hurst said in an interview with ESPN, however, that the injury was not career-threatening and that he was excited to return for the 2024 season.

The 30-year-old Hurst entered the league as a first round pick in 2018, beginning his career with the Ravens. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz was involved in that selection, and his time in Baltimore also means he has familiarity with the Harbaugh family. After two seasons in Baltimore, Hurst was traded to Atlanta, where he finished his rookie contract before signing with the Bengals in 2022 and Panthers in 2023.

An average blocker, Hurst has primarily been used as a secondary receiving tight end in his career, peaking with 56 receptions for 571 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first season in Atlanta. He likely slots in as the second tight end behind Dissly in the Chargers offense, who also returns Donald Parham Jr. and Stone Smartt. 2023 starter Gerald Everett signed with the Bears Wednesday.