Lions add Michigan native, CMU alum Tyler Conklin to tight end depth chart
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions added a veteran tight end to round out the team’s depth chart at the position, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with Tyler Conklin.
The Michigan native who played collegiately at Central Michigan is an eight-year vet who has had stints with the Vikings, Jets and Chargers.
A fifth-round pick in 2018, the 30-year-old Conklin spent his first four seasons in Minnesota before landing a three-year, $20 million deal with New York in 2022.
Across the four-year stretch between his final season with the Vikings and the three with the Jets, the 6-foot-3, 248-pound Conklin impressively averaged 58 receptions for 554 yards.
Conklin joined the Chargers last season, but struggled to carve out a similar role in the team’s offense. Appearing in 13 games, including five starts, he drew just 10 targets, resulting in seven grabs for 101 yards. He was a healthy scratch multiple times, including the team’s playoff game against the Patriots.
Of note, Conklin overlapped with incoming Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for two seasons in Minnesota, when the young assistant was working with the team’s quarterbacks and receivers.
Conklin joins a room headed by Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. LaPorta, a former second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, is coming off a season where he required season-ending back surgery. Wright also finished the year on injured reserve, with a throat injury.
He also played goalie for the Red Wings.
He’s on board to block in Petzing’s 3TE sets. And when the opposing D goes to sleep on him he knows how to find space and catch a ball.