The Los Angeles Chargers lost some key weapons this offseason, which may make life more difficult for quarterback Justin Herbert heading into 2024.
Running back Austin Ekeler departed via free agency. Wide receiver Keenan Allen was traded. Fellow wide out Mike Williams was released.
However, the Chargers did sign tight end Hayden Hurst, who will be re-joining a familiar face in offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Hurst knows Roman from their Baltimore Ravens days, so he understands the type of offense Roman is capable of building.
For that reason, Hurst thinks that next season will be a huge one for Herbert.
“He’s deadly,” Hurst said of Herbert, via the Chargers’ official YouTube account. “I mean, you give him a run game and he’s going to be able to throw it all over the place. I think that’s the one thing — you know, outside looking in — that’s the one thing he hasn’t had, is a consistent run game. I mean, man, we all see what he can do through the air. You pair up a run game with that, I mean, I think the sky is the limit for this place.”
Roman’s style typically features a very strong running game, which he employed with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens during his time there. Plus, Baltimore brought in halfback Gus Edwards, who played under Roman with the Ravens.
Herbert’s 2023 campaign was abbreviated due to a finger injury that knocked him out for the last four games of the season. When he was on the field, he threw for 3,134 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 65.1 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 93.2.
Meanwhile, Hurst played in just eight games with the Carolina Panthers this past year, logging 18 catches for 184 yards and a score.
Hurst’s best season came with the Atlanta Falcons back in 2020, when he hauled in 56 receptions for 571 yards and six touchdowns.
We’ll see if Justin Herbert is able to utilize Hurst in 2024.
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