During this NFL offseason, there’s been no shortage of news revolving around the Baltimore Ravens. Their only agreement in place so far is with offensive guard John Simpson. Outside of that, they’ve been poached, with players like center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Isaiah Likely departing.
Baltimore even got some news on the retirement front. Amid the chaos that is Free Agency Frenzy, tight Hayden Hurst decided it was time to retire. Hurst was a former first-round pick in 2018 for the Ravens, selected 25th overall, the same draft in which they made the franchise-altering selection of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Hurst only spent two years in Charm City, but still put together a productive career. In 2025, he couldn’t latch on to a team, and on Monday, he opted to hang up the cleats.
Former Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Hayden Hurst retires
During those two seasons with the Ravens from 2018 to 2019, Hurst had 43 receptions for 512 yards and three touchdowns. He was a fine player, but never asserted himself into the starting role, which was eventually taken by fellow 2018 draftee Mark Andrews. As Andrews ran away with the opportunity, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2019, it became clear that Hurst wouldn’t have much of a future in Charm City.
Hurst was eventually traded following the 2019 season. He was dealt along with a 2020 fourth-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for a second and fifth-round pick in 2020. That second rounder was used on running back JK Dobbins, and the fifth rounder was dealt to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
The trade worked out well for Baltimore and also had a positive impact on Hurst’s career. Hurst had a career-year in Atlanta in 2020, finishing the campaign with 56 receptions for 571 yards and six touchdowns.
The former South Carolina Gamecock never replicated that kind of production for the rest of his career, but remained a steady contributor through 2024. He bounced around a bit, seeing one-year stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers after leaving the Falcons.
Ultimately, while his NFL career wasn’t uber-successful, he had a solid impact throughout his time in the league, becoming a reliable depth piece for five different teams.