As the 2026 offseason wraps up, Detroit Lions fans are buzzing about who will survive the final 53-man roster cuts. One name at the center of the conversation is veteran tight end Brock Wright.

Wright was initially brought in as backup tight end after Sam LaPorta suffered from a herniated disk that required surgery. However, with his 2025 season cut short by a throat and neck injury, Wright’s future in Detroit looks uncertain. 

While he has been a great teammate for Jared Goff in the red zone, his stats of just 108 yards and two scores last year don't exactly scream must-keep to the front office.

Reports from heavy.com suggest, “It may make sense for the Detroit Lions and tight end Brock Wright, who has made an estimated $10.5 million according to research from Over the Cap, to part ways before June 1. According to Over the Cap, the team would save $3.58 million if they do so.”

Football is a business, and the salary cap is the biggest hurdle for Wright. By releasing him before June 1, the Lions could save roughly $3.58 million. For a team looking to develop its defense, that extra capital is not something that can be ignored. 

The talks become louder with reports from the feature for Detroit Jock City, where Ernesto Cova states that Wright may be on borrowed time.

“That usage isn’t going to get much higher once LaPorta is back to full strength, and Conklin will most likely handle most of the TE2 duties, so there’s simply no room or need for him anymore.” 

With Sam LaPorta expected to return to action by 2026 training camp and Tyler Conklin now on the depth chart, Wright has slipped down the pecking order. 

While Wright’s toughness and chemistry with Goff are well-known, the Lions seem ready to pivot toward more explosive receiving threats.

Detroit Lions Target Another Player To Assist Jared Goff

Lions GM Brad Holmes is always looking for new talent. Recently, the team worked out wide receiver James Proche to see if he could help quarterback Jared Goff next season. While he isn't the fastest player on the field, he is famous for catching difficult passes that most players miss.

As per scouts' reports, “(Proche has) average size, quickness and speed, but extraordinary ball skills that allow for viral-caliber catches throughout his game tape. Teams may see the measurables and move him inside, but he lacks slot quickness and route savvy underneath.”

“Once the ball is launched, however, Proche is an alpha with ball tracking, body control, and razor-sharp focus, which makes him the favorite in contested-catch battles downfield,” the report further mentioned. 

Proche was a football star in college at SMU, putting up huge numbers as a junior with 93 catches and 12 touchdowns. By his senior year, he was recognized as one of the best players in the country. 

He was later drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. Now, the Lions are looking to see if that same playmaking magic can help their own offense grow. 

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit