Hayden Hurst’s arrival with the Cincinnati Bengals was a quiet one.
He just might not be quiet for long.
Hurst was almost an afterthought of an addition initially, at least compared to the public reaction to the Bengals losing C.J. Uzomah in free agency. But now that the proverbial dust has settled on the position the idea he could outperform Uzomah’s stats output has started to make the rounds.
And part of it is because of how natural Hurst looks as part of the offense during practice — just ask star wideout Tyler Boyd.
“I was shocked how smooth he was getting in and out of his breaks,” Boyd said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Once he gets fundamentally sound in the offense, I think that’s when we’ll see him explode.”
Big praise from Boyd, the king of cuts, breaks and smooth routes from the slot.
While Hurst was sidelined in the passing attacks of his last two stops after being a first-round pick, he’ll have the benefit in Cincinnati of being the first target Joe Burrow looks at after the big three at wideout — which should mean favorable matchups.
If Boyd’s right about what he’s seeing from his new teammate early, it might just add another dimension to the offense.
