Carolina Panthers release TE Hayden Hurst, 1 year after signing a 3-year deal

New look general manager Dan Morgan wasted no time righting the wrongs of the Carolina Panthers' 2023 offseason.  The Panthers are to release tight end Hayden Hurst a year after signing him to a three-year contract, Joseph Person of The Athletic reported Tuesday.  Carolina gave Hurst an option to take a pay cut to stay […]

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Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) breaks away from Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) for a touchdown in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Image via Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

New look general manager Dan Morgan wasted no time righting the wrongs of the Carolina Panthers' 2023 offseason. 

The Panthers are to release tight end Hayden Hurst a year after signing him to a three-year contract, Joseph Person of The Athletic reported Tuesday

Carolina gave Hurst an option to take a pay cut to stay with the team. Hust declined that option, and the Panthers are set to release him before March 16. 

Hurst's three-year, $21.75 million contract proved a mistake for the Panthers almost as soon as the team signed it. 

He caught the first touchdown of Bryce Young's career in Week 1 but was seldom used in the passing game after that point. 

Hust missed the final eight weeks of the season after suffering a concussion in a Thursday night game against the Chicago Bears. 

In releasing Hurst, the Panthers clear around $52,000 in cap space. It isn't a massive amount, but it is a move that makes sense after the disappointing 2023 season. 

Hurst finished the year with 18 catches, 184 yards and one touchdown.