The Atlanta Falcons are about to embark on training camp next week, as they officially usher in the Michael Penix Jr. era, who enters as the team’s starting quarterback.
Falcons fans are excited to see how Penix Jr. looks this summer at training camp after getting some starting reps at the end of last season. There’s also some interesting camp battles to pay attention to, involving a couple of undrafted free agents.
If those UDFAs can shine in camp and the preseason, the Falcons might have some tough cuts to make in the near future. While that’s going on, a few former Falcons are still hoping to get an invite to any team’s training camp.
With the NFL calendar flipping to training camp, the pressure is on for many veteran players to find a new gig sooner rather than later. The quicker they can get into camp, the sooner they can learn the playbook and compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Ex-Falcons TE Hayden Hurst Among Former Atlanta Players Waiting to Be Signed
However, these opportunities might not be easy to come by, especially for veteran tight end Hayden Hurst.
The 31-year-old Hurst is among the notable veteran free-agent tight ends still searching for an opportunity for the 2025 season. Hurst spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he only played nine games due to injury.
The veteran tight end had one of his worst statistical seasons with the Chargers, posting eight receptions (13 targets) for 73 yards. Hurst joined the Chargers on a one-year deal after playing with the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end spent two seasons in Atlanta, where he looked like a former first-round pick. In his first year with the Falcons, the ex-Baltimore Ravens draft pick recorded 56 receptions (88 targets) for 571 yards and six touchdowns.
In an offense that had Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Julio Jones, Hurst emerged as one of Matt Ryan’s top pass-catching options in 2020. However, Hurst’s production took a step back in 2021 as the Falcons took Kyle Pitts in the first round. The Falcons also declined his $5.4 million option for the 2022 campaign before that season, signaling the end of his time.
Pitts assumed the role of the TE1, forcing Hurst into a secondary role. The veteran tight end had 26 receptions (31 targets) for 221 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games (five starts).
The veteran tight end has bounced around the league since his time with the Falcons. Hurst isn’t a TE1 at this stage of his career. However, if a team needs a veteran TE2 to pair with a younger TE1, Hurst might be worth kicking the tires on if he’s healthy.