Former Panthers TE Hayden Hurst expected to sign with Chargers

Hayden Hurst is bolting out west.

According to ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the 30-year-old tight end is visiting the Los Angeles Chargers with the intent to sign a new deal. Hurst was officially released by the Carolina Panthers at the start of the new league year yesterday afternoon.

The Panthers inked Hurst to a three-year, $21.7 million pact last spring. He appeared in just nine games this past season, amassing 18 receptions for 184 yards and one touchdown.

His 2023 campaign was cut short due to a concussion he sustained in Carolina’s Week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears. While Hurst’s father had tweeted on Dec. 6 that his son was diagnosed post-traumatic amnesia, Hurst himself assured fans that his injury would not be a career-ending one.

In addition to Hurst, the Panthers also parted ways with center Bradley Bozeman and safety Vonn Bell on Wednesday. Bell has since reportedly agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals.