Both Maurice Hurst and Arden Key went unclaimed for indemnity on Friday and now the former Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive liners are unlimited free agents so they can sign anywhere.
The Raiders cut both players on Thursday.
Former Raiders DE Arden Key and DT Maurice Hurst have each resigned and are now free agencies.
– Field Yates (@FieldYates) 16 April 2021
It’s a little surprising that Hurst is unclaimed, especially since he was on his rookie contract, had a reasonable price, and had some success in the NFL. It’s not a shock that Key is unclaimed, because he never showed anything in the NFL.
I would think that both Hurst and Key will be on a roster during training camp, and probably that Hurst will be on a roster somewhere during the season. However, Key must prove that he is worthy of a position.
Hurst and Key were both key figures in the 2018 draft, the first of coach Jon Gruden’s return to the Raiders. Key was a third round and Hurst was a fifth round.
Hurst started 17 games in three seasons and was a rotation player.
The Raiders defended Solomon Thomas, Quinton Jefferson and Darious Philon in the free agency. Thomas is likely to start with Johnathan Hankins, who has been re-signed as a free agency. Therefore, the Raiders felt Hurst had been spent.
Key has done little for the Raiders since he was draft. He had a total of three pockets in three seasons. The Raiders have added several pass-rushers over the past two years because they have lost patience with Key.