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Lions bolster TE group with addition of Michigan native Tyler Conklin

Running back Isiah Pacheco on his talk with Dan Campbell, football

Lions running back Isiah Pacheco relates his talk with head coach Dan Campbell and his feelings on football

The Detroit Lions have made an addition at tight end.

Tyler Conklin, who overlapped with new OC Drew Petzing for two seasons in Minnesota, has signed a one-year deal with the Lions.

In 2025, Conklin caught seven passes for 101 yards as a member of the Los Angeles Chargers. In his four previous seasons prior to L.A., Conklin averaged 58 catches and 554 yards.

Conklin, 30, was selected by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He had a quiet first couple of seasons as a pass-catcher before recording 194 yards and 19 catches during his third year in 2020. After his tenure with the Vikings (2018-21), and before his stop with the Chargers (2025), Conklin spent time with the New York Jets (2022-24).

The Lions now have five tight ends on their roster, in Conklin, Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Zach Horton and Thomas Gordon. LaPorta missed Detroit’s final eight games in 2025 but said after the season he expects to be ready for training camp. LaPorta added he intends to be “up, running around” during OTAs this summer.

Conklin is a Michigan native (L’Anse Creuse High School – North) who first attended Northwood before transferring to Central Michigan, where he caught 83 passes for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns over three seasons after redshirting his first year.

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