Hopping Off Hayden: Will Falcons Keep Backup Tight End?

The Falcons must make a decision on their backup tight end.

Within the next two months, the Atlanta Falcons will evaluate whether to keep backup tight end Hayden Hurst.

Hurst, who turns 29 in August, becomes a free agent after the Falcons declined his fifth-year option ahead of the 2021 season. The declining of his option came just a few days after the team drafted Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

But that doesn't mean there isn't room for both of them in the Falcons offense. Or does it?

Hurst caught 26 passes for 221 yards in 13 games for the Falcons this past season, primarily used as a red-zone target. Out of his 26 receptions, three were touchdowns. Despite a whopping 110 targets, Pitts had only one score.

Hurst, who could be sought as a top tight end elsewhere, obviously benefitted from all the attention paid to Pitts. According to TruMedia, the Falcons ran two-tight end sets on 37 percent of the team's offensive plays.

Having Hurst on the field takes some of the defensive focus off Pitts, which is important in the offense especially if Calvin Ridley doesn't come back in 2022.

The Falcons have always had someone to take play off their top receiver. Julio Jones was there for Roddy White. Then Ridley became the complement for Jones. Now, Pitts is that for Ridley. But with Ridley now likely on his way out, Pitts is becoming the top option and needs to have other options on the field so double teams avoid him.

Pitts proved in his rookie season how much of a problem he can be for opposing defenses, but there was also a sense that he could have accomplished more. In order for Pitts to take the next step, the team needs somebody with Hurst's archetype in the offense.

It might be difficult to maintain him, but having someone familiar with the offense in an important position with a decent-sized role wouldn't hurt.


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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.