Hayden Hurst on the season ahead of him: 'I am 100 percent ready to roll'
The Carolina Panthers brought in tight end Hayden Hurst on a three-year, $27.75 million contract. And since the deal was first announced, Hurst has set out to earn rookie quarterback Bryce Young's trust. Shortly after the Panthers signed Hurst and traded for the No. 1 overall pick, the ex-Bengal let it be known his plans for the […]
The Carolina Panthers brought in tight end Hayden Hurst on a three-year, $27.75 million contract.
And since the deal was first announced, Hurst has set out to earn rookie quarterback Bryce Young's trust.
Shortly after the Panthers signed Hurst and traded for the No. 1 overall pick, the ex-Bengal let it be known his plans for the first-year quarterback — he wants to be the rookie's favorite target.
"Tight ends are always a quarterback's best friend," Hurst said via the team's official website. "Especially (for) a rookie coming in, you want that reliable guy in the middle of the field, where your vision is. Obviously, you need the guys on the outside, too, to make your life easier. But if you can have that reliable guy where you know he's going to be somewhere within 10 yards or going down the middle of the field and just put it up, that's why I came here."
And on that front, Hurst detailed Tuesday that he is fully recovered from an offseason procedure to repair an adductor tear and a hernia in February. He spent the offseason rehabbing, and as the Panthers plan to start practice Wednesday, Hurst is ready to start working on becoming Young's most reliable target in the intermediary passing game.
"I played with it all of last season," Hurst said of his injury. "I got it fixed back in February after losing the AFC Championship game. But I am 100 percent ready to roll.
"This is the opportunity I have always asked for. I prepared this offseason like the ball is going to come my way a lot. I am in the best shape of my life. I am going to take it a day at a time, try to get through camp, and cross that bridge when the season comes."
Wrapped up in Hurst joining the Panthers is head coach Frank Reich and his history of getting quality production from tight ends. And a bonus is the fact that a 21-year-old quarterback with flair, excitement, and supreme skill will be responsible for getting him the ball.
To that point, Hurst describes Young as "intelligent and composed," he also said that the rookie upstart already "commands the huddle," which indicates that the former Alabama star is already ahead of the NFL's learning curve.
"When you have confidence and intelligence at the quarterback position, it's kind of infectious," Hurst said. "He's going to be on top of his stuff. I am sure he expects us to be on top of our stuff as well."
Hurst — who appeared in 13 games with the Bengals last season — is ready for the challenge that is bound to arrive when a team mixes expectations and a rookie quarterback. And following an offseason of working and rehab, he is ready to be Young's reliable veteran target.
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Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
