Insider speculates TE could reunite with Bengals, Joe Burrow

Hurst is just one season into his three-year, $21.75M deal with Carolina and Joe Person of The Athletic speculated that a reunion between he and Burrow could happen.

Hurst only spent one season with the Bengals in 2022 but helped them reach the AFC Championship Game. Hurst contended with an array of offensive weapons in Cincinnati that year like wideouts Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, and running back Joe Mixon, but gave Burrow a solid security blanket through the regular season and playoffs.

The former first-round pick finished fifth on the team in targets (68), receptions (52) and receiving yards (414) despite missing four games and added 13 catches for 141 yards and one score in three postseason contests.

Hurst joined the Panthers last March, and after a fast start with five receptions (including a touchdown) in Week 1, the veteran's production slowed down over the next two months.

The 30-year-old suffered a serious head injury in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, an ailment that was later diagnosed as post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). Hurst missed the rest of the season and was placed on season-ending injured reserve in December.

He finished the 2023 campaign with 18 catches for 184 receiving yards and one touchdown on 32 targets across nine games.