When the Baltimore Ravens traded Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons for a package that included a 2020 second-round pick (which turned into running back J.K. Dobbins), they were losing a key piece of their offense. However, they were sending him to a place where he could have a bigger role, something that Hurst desired.
Hurst had a good first year in Atlanta, putting up 56 receptions for 571 yards and six touchdowns. However, his time with the Falcons quickly got complicated when Atlanta made their first selection of the 2021 NFL draft.
The Falcons selected a generational talent in tight end Kyle Pitts out of Florida. He will immediately compete with Hurst for targets, and could even take the starting job from the former Raven by the end of training camp.
With the selection of Pitts, plus a new head coach and front office in place, Atlanta made the decision to decline Hurst’s fifth-year option.
The Atlanta Falcons are not exercising the fifth-year option on tight end Hayden Hurst, per source. He’ll be a free agent in 2022.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 3, 2021
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes, Hurst will now hit the free agent market after the 2021 season. Many have been rolling around the idea of a Baltimore reunion with Hurst, either through trade or when his current contract expires. It’s certainly possible, although it will probably take some time to see what the future holds for the tight end.
