Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst is still waiting to get properly settled in his new home after being traded from the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Fortunately, it appears he has already gotten well-acquainted with quarterback Matt Ryan.
The restrictions placed by the league in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has offered up its own set of challenges for players preparing for the 2020 NFL season. According to ESPN's Mina Kimes, Hurst says he has road tripped from Jacksonville to Atlanta for the last month to throw with Ryan (via Vaughn McClure of ESPN):
“That’s helping me a lot … That’s really going to pay off during training camp.’’
Although teams have not been able to properly welcome all the new additions to their rosters this offseason due to the outbreak, Hurst has clearly decided to take matters into his own hands. It is safe to say that getting a head start in building his rapport with Ryan will certainly help pay huge dividends leading up to the 2020 campaign.
The departure of tight end Austin Hooper has left a notable void in the Falcons' passing game. Hurst will have an opportunity to create an integral role for himself as a potential safety net for Ryan underneath.
The former first-round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft struggled to find his footing with the run-heavy Ravens offense and finished the 2019 campaign with 30 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps the change of scenery could be just what Hurst needs to finally fit the billing with the Falcons.
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