BREAKING: Carolina Panthers Signing Former Bengals Tight End

A huge loss for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Carolina Panthers have made a big free agency splash, signing former Bengals' tight end Hayden Hurst to a three-year deal, worth $21.75 million.

The #Panthers are expected to sign former #Bengals TE and first-round pick Hayden Hurst, source said. Another weapon for their new QB (whoever that is).

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2023

It was a prove-it contract this past season for Hurst and he proved it. Despite missing three games due to a calf injury, Hurst enjoyed a nice season, recording 52 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns on 68 targets over 13 games during the regular season.

He was also among the top of the league in tight-end pass routes. 

𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The #Panthers are signing former #Bengals TE Hayden Hurst, per @RapSheet

A former 1st round pick of the #Ravens pic.twitter.com/02YkADMlpV

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 15, 2023

He'll figure to take over as the Panthers' No. 1 tight end, with Tommy Tremble sliding into a No. 2 role.

The 29-year-old is a former first-round pick (25th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Over his five-year career, Hurst has recorded 177 receptions for 1,718 yards and 14 touchdowns across 70 games played.

With the Panthers trading up for the first overall pick in this year's draft, they are more than likely set to pick a quarterback and the presence of a reliable tight end like Hurst will be helpful for developing the QB they draft.

More to come...
Photo Credit:  Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports