3 ways the Bengals have helped Joe Burrow this offseason

2. Signing Hayden Hurst

While C.J. Uzomah wasn’t able to be retained, the Bengals didn’t wait until the draft to address the tight end position, which definitely needed to be upgraded. Uzomah’s absence was a blow, but fortunately, Cincinnati landed an upgrade in the form of Hayden Hurst.

Fans were bummed to see Uzomah not return but Hurst’s best season, which came in 2020, was better than any of Uzomah’s seven seasons. Hurst’s 2020 campaign saw him grab 56 receptions for 571 yards and six touchdowns. He was a weapon for Atlanta that year and it’s no wonder the Bengals scooped him up and added him to their offense.

Burrow loved targeting Uzomah on key-down situations and Hurst can be that guy for him now. Hurst might not be a long-term option but he’s only 29 years old and has shown that he can be a reliable tight end.

Had the team not signed Hurst, they’d be looking at Drew Sample and a rookie as their starting options at the position. Hurst and a rookie make a much better duo and Burrow now has an even better tight end than he did a season ago.