Cincinnati Bengals training camp observations: Why Hayden Hurst works in the offense
During organized team activities in May and June, new Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst said he felt like his head was spinning. After signing with the team in free agency, he had to immediately learn a brand new offense where he was the only new skill position player.
Through the first two days of training camp, Hurst has found his role in the Bengals’ offense. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has run designed plays for Hurst, and Hurst made the play of the day on Thursday with a leaping catch down the middle of the field for a 20-yard pickup.
“I had outside leverage on man coverage,” Hurst said. “I had the guy leaning. I used my release, my quickness and my suddenness to get inside, step in vertical, snap off and it was a heck of a throw by (quarterback Brandon Allen). Then I laid out there and made the catch.”
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Throughout the training camp process, Hurst has had a lot of “freedom for discussion” with tight ends coach James Casey and Taylor about the best way to use Hurst’s route-running ability, his speed and his precise footwork.
Hurst, who had 571 receiving yards for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 but took a statistical step back when the team drafted his replacement in 2021, has taken advantage of his size and his route running skills in all of his catches during camp.
He made another play on Thursday where he made a lightning-quick turn on a short comeback route over the middle of the field. Using his quickness and his 6-foot-4 frame, Hurst boxed out Bengals safety Vonn Bell to pick up a first down.
“I’m starting to really understand this offense, which is allowing me to play really fast,” Hurst said. “That’s when I’m at my best, when I’m able to utilize my speed, my size and am able to fly around.”
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More observations from Thursday’s Bengals practice
• There’s only one new player in the Bengals’ current first-team defense, and the communication and resulting pre-snap adjustments by the unit in 11-on-11 drills has been one of the most consistent aspects of camp so far. On the first pass of the day, after Bengals safety Vonn Bell pointed something out and made a call before the play, he recorded an interception.
Bell crept up over the middle of the field and played zone coverage close to the line of scrimmage. When Allen threw the ball to Hurst, Bell was waiting for it and picked off the pass. Later in practice, slot cornerback Mike Hilton made the exact same play on a short pass to running back Joe Mixon. Hilton would have had a pick six, but the play was whistled dead before he caught the ball.
• Last year, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s lack of production was the story of training camp. To begin camp this year, Chase looks even better than the player who had 1,455 receiving yards last year.
On Thursday, Chase made a 55-yard touchdown catch on the same play he scored on in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears last season. He started a go route down the right sideline, cut toward the middle of the field, adjusted his route to make the deep catch and strolled into the end-zone.
His footwork and route running look like they have taken another step forward from his rookie year. Multiple times over the last two days, Chase has out-maneuvered No. 1 cornerback Chidobe Awuzie in 7-on-7 drills to make a contested catch on the sideline.
• With the exception of left guard Jackson Carman, the Bengals are having their offensive guards rotate between the right side and the left side on different days of practice. D’Ante Smith is focusing on playing tackle after filling multiple roles for the offensive line last season.
• In a wide-open competition at punter, Drue Chrisman, the challenger, is focused on his hang time and his holding. As he looks to beat out 14-year veteran Kevin Huber, Chrisman has made a few minor adjustments to take steps forward in both areas.
“The game moves quicker, so you’ve got to adjust to that,” Chrisman said. “You have to be perfect, really. The biggest thing has to be hang time. There are some electric guys back there that you’re kicking to. The less time that they have between them and our guy covering is better.”
As a holder, Chrisman has learned that kicker Evan McPherson likes the ball “a little forward, a little (closer) to me.” Chrisman was a holder throughout his college career and knows his work as a holder will play a big role in the position battle with Huber.
“I watched (Huber) growing up,” Chrisman said. “It’s cool being in person and seeing everything he has done to be the great punter that he is. At the same time, I’ve got a baby. Diapers aren’t cheap. There’s motivation there as well.”
• Running back Elijah Holyfield, who was competing for a spot on the Bengals practice squad, went on the reserve/injured list following an injury that took place in Wednesday’s practice. The Bengals signed running back Jacques Patrick, who was a part of Bengals training camp in 2020 and 2021. Patrick was one of the Bengals’ standout preseason players in both summers, and he was right back in the mix in drills on Thursday.
Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox was out on Thursday with an injury. He worked on the exercise bike during practice.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals training camp: TE Hayden Hurst fit in Cincinnati's offense
