Ja’Marr Likes What He Sees In Hayden Hurst
Did the Cincinnati Bengals get a tight end upgrade this offseason? CJ Uzomah left for a big money free agent contract with the Jets. However, some within the Bengals feel they got a better player with Hayden Hurst instead and he costs a fraction of the price. Superstar Ja’Marr Chase was very complimentary of his new teammate recently.
“He’s bringing more ball movement for the receivers, running back and tight end now,” Chase said, via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. “He’s opened up more of the offense. He made a one-handed catch today across the middle. Stuff like that is going to get the defense to notice him and take the coverages away from my side, Tee [Higgins’] side. They might roll to his side sometimes. That will be a big help for this offense.”
Hurst, 29, should theoretically be in his prime. Hurst obviously failed to live up to expectations in Baltimore but that was a given. I was not high on Hurst coming out of South Carolina but only smart people were on that side. We were talking about a former minor league baseball pitcher that had one okay season in the SEC where he was significantly older than everyone. It was never going to translate to the NFL level.
The Ravens eventually traded Hurst to Atlanta for a second round pick. That trade predictably turned into a disaster for the Falcons. That picked turned into JK Dobbins. You think Atlanta could use him right now? Dummies.
This Bengals thing could be different. It’s not like Uzomah ever put up world beating numbers with the Bengals. Uzomah’s best season was in 2018 when he caught 43 passes for 439 yards with three TDs. Are you telling me Hurst can’t match that with so much attention going to Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd? How hard can your life be in that spot?
I wouldn’t totally rule out Hurst being a factor in fantasy despite the fact that I think he’s terrible. The bar for finding useful tight ends isn’t very high. If Hurst can simply live up to some of his potential, maybe this is a story we monitor heading into the 2022-23 NFL Season.
Side note: The red hair kinda plays in Cincinnati. If Hayden Hurst does end up with a career high season, it’s going to be with this Bengals team led by Joe Burrow.
Other side note: I do semi-like Uzomah’s chances with the Jets.
