Carolina Panthers to sign Bengals free agent tight end Hayden Hurst

Former South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst is heading to his fourth NFL team in six years, according to Ian Rapoport. The Carolina Panthers will sign Hurst out of the free agent market to add a weapon for their future starting quarterback.

The deal for the former first-round tight end is reportedly for three years, keeping him in Carolina through the 2025 season.

The former No. 25 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Hurst spent his first two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He then spent 2020 and 2021 with the Atlanta Falcons.

He joined the Bengals for the 2022 season, signing a one-year deal for $3.5 million. Hurst had a very solid season with the Bengals, hauling in 52 catches for 414 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

During his five seasons in the National Football League, Hurst has hauled in 177 catches for 1,718 receiving yards, while bringing in 14 touchdown catches.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office.

April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.