Tyler Conklin: Everything you need to know

Conklin is signing a one-year contract with the Lions, per his agent Mike McCartney. Conklin is expected to compete for backup snaps with Brock Wright (neck) behind Sam LaPorta (back). After recording 1,622 receiving yards across three seasons with the Jets, the 30-year-old tight end posted just seven catches for 101 yards with the Chargers in the 2025 regular season.

Conklin caught seven of 10 targets for 101 yards and rushed once for two yards across 13 regular-season games in 2025. The 30-year-old from Central Michigan was a healthy scratch in five of the Chargers' final six games this season, including the wild-card loss to the Patriots, as he slid down the depth chart following the emergence of rookie Oronde Gadsden. Conklin posted his lowest receiving-yard total since 2019 but still averaged 14.4 yards per reception, the second-highest mark of his career. Set to become a free agent this offseason, Conklin could find work with a team in need of tight end depth ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Conklin (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. Conklin will be a healthy scratch for a third straight game. It seems like the tight end's time as a regular starter for the team is over, with rookie Oronde Gadsden taking over as the No. 1 and Will Dissley handling the remaining workload.