The Detroit Lions have landed a new tight end. Tyler Conklin, A Los Angeles Chargers star, is heading to Michigan to bolster Detroit's offense while dealing a blow to a key AFC competitor.

Five hours ago, the Detroit Lions announced the signing of Tyler Conklin to a one-year deal. The Michigan native returns home for the upcoming NFL season. They did not disclose the contract terms. 

This comes as a blow to the Los Angeles Chargers, as the veteran tight end, who has earned more than $27 million in his career, as per Spotrac, was useful when called upon for his offense. In the 2025 season, Conklin played 13 games, and was targeted 10 times and received the ball seven times for a total of 101 yards. 

Conklin, the former Central Michigan alum, has been around the league since 2018. The Minnesota Vikings drafted Conklin as their 157th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Conklin spent four seasons in Minneapolis before signing with the New York Jets.

Conklin spent three seasons with the New York Jets, where he had one of his best seasons with 621 receiving yards. He then signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, finally, returning to where everything started: Detroit, Michigan. 

Known for finding deals on sleeper pick players, the Lions' general manager, Brad Holmes, might have found another "steal deal." Conklin's contract with the Chargers was a one-year, $3 million contract. 

How’s the offseason going for Detroit?

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes need a good offseason if they want to get back to the success they had in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

They have quickly replaced their running back with Isiah Pacheco. The Lions traded away David Montgomery to the Texans. Pacheco joins Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs in the running back room.

Another move was adding center Cade Mays, the former Carolina Panther. Mays was needed to fill the gap left by Frank Ragnow.

"I’ve come a long way, but I feel like I’m just now getting on my way up. So feel like I got a long way to go. I’m excited for the journey," he told Detroit media on Thursday.

Jared Goff gets a familiar second-string QB in Teddy Bridgewater, who returns to the Lions and someone Dan Campbell loves and appreciates.

Larry Bloom leaves the Miami sun and signs with the Lions. A much-needed player who will be a part of the offensive line. That is an area the Lions need to focus on the most. 

Will Detroit bounce back after having a poor 2025 season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi