Who Should I Start? Hayden Hurst or Tommy Sweeney

Thursday, March 14, 1:52 PM

Free-agent tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) is visiting the Los Angeles Chargers with the intention to sign with the team, according to a source. Hurst was recently released by the Carolina Panthers. The 30-year-old veteran signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with the Panthers last offseason but missed the final eight games last year due to a serious post-traumatic amnesia concussion. There were questions as to whether Hurst would even continue his career, but he's apparently recovered and plans to continue playing in 2024. Veteran Gerald Everett is no longer in LA, but they still have Donald Parham Jr. and recently signed Will Dissly to the TE room, so Hurst would be battling for playing time with those two if he were to sign with the Chargers. Hurst, a former first-rounder (25th overall) in 2018, caught just 18 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown in Carolina last year.

Sunday, May 12, 11:08 AM

Free-agent tight end Tommy Sweeney signed an undisclosed deal with the Chicago Bears on Sunday after a tryout at their rookie minicamp, according to a source. Sweeney was with the New York Giants most of last year but sat out after he collapsed and had a "medical event" on the practice field. The 28-year-old was originally drafted in the seventh round (228th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in 2019 out of Boston College. All three of his NFL seasons came with Buffalo, and Sweeney has caught a total of 18 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown on 26 targets in just 24 games played (four starts). Sweeney will be competing for a roster spot in training camp this summer among a tight end group in Chicago that already includes Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett, Stephen Carlson and rookie Brenden Bates.