Former Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst to sign with Los Angeles Chargers

Former Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst will reportedly sign a new deal to join the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2024 season, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Hurst hit the free agency market when the Panthers released him last week.

The Panthers gave Hurst the option to take a pay cut to remain with the team, but he declined. He was due a $1.85M roster bonus on March 16. Carolina cleared $52,000 in cap space by cutting Hurst before March 16, with $9.9 million in dead money.

He last signed a three-year deal worth $21.75 million with $13 million fully guaranteed with the Panthers. The tight end, 30, appeared in nine games (eight starts), hauling in 18 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown this season. He didn’t appear in a game after suffering a concussion in the 16-13 Week 10 defeat to the Chicago Bears. A neurologist diagnosed him with post-traumatic amnesia but Hurst insisted it would not end his career.

The former South Carolina star is moving on to his fifth team in seven seasons. He has 195 career receptions with 1,902 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s also had 17 catches and 194 yards with two touchdowns in postseason games.

Chargers release Mike Williams to get under cap limit

The Chargers released Mike Williams on Wednesday out of necessity to get under the cap limit. Williams will now head to free agency, where he’ll be free to sign with any team of his choosing.

Over seven seasons with the Chargers, Williams amassed 309 receptions for 4,806 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns. His 2023 season was cut short due to a torn ACL, so he’ll be working back from a major injury in 2024.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 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. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who 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 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.