As the 2023 NFL offseason gets set to get underway, the Green Bay Packers know that a busy offseason lies in wait. Rumors have been running rampant about the future of Aaron Rodgers and whether or not the Packers will trade him. Other huge things have already happened, like Tom Brady retiring (supposedly for good) and Sean Payton being traded to the Denver Broncos to be their new head coach.
With all of that being said, there are a lot of other things that the Packers will need to focus on. Past the Rodgers situation, they need to improve their roster. No matter who the quarterback ends up being, they have to build a much better all-around team.
One potential position that the Packers could look to upgrade or add to is at tight end. Robert Tonyan is set to hit free agency, but it would not be shocking to see him back. Or, Green Bay could look elsewhere.
The Packers Could Pursue This Intriguing Free Agent
In a recent article published by Cheesehead TV, they suggested that Hayden Hurst could be a free agent target for the Packers. Hurst has been a big piece of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense.
You might argue that it would be easier to just keep Robert Tonyan, but Hurst blocks much better and has been more effective even as a receiver, which theoretically is Tonyan’s calling card. Both players are effectively playing in the NFL since 2018 — Tonyan was undrafted in 2017, but his first regular season game came in his second season. Since then, Hurst has 1,607 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tonyan has 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns (11 of them in the 2020 season).
Would Hurst be an upgrade over Tonyan? As you can see from the statistics listed above, that is not a guarantee. However, it would be very intriguing to re-sign Tonyan and still look to add Hurst to put together a dynamic tight end duo.
Hurst is coming off of a quality season with the Bengals. He became a big-time security blanket for Joe Burrow and even made some huge plays in the playoffs.
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Throughout the course of the 2022 season, Hurst ended up catching 52 passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns. In three postseason appearances, he recorded 13 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers aren’t amazing, but they aren’t bad either.
At 29 years of age, Hurst still has a few good years left in him. Signing him to a three-year deal would be the best route the Packers could go if they opt to pursue him.
Honestly, pursuing Hurst would not be a horrible move for the Packers, but it wouldn’t be the best either. Simply bringing Tonyan back, who already knows and fits into Matt LaFleur’s system would be a better choice.
Expect to continue hearing a ton of rumors coming out of Green Bay. Until the Aaron Rodgers decision is made, the news cycle will not stop being a headache for Packers’ fans.
