Conklin averaged a 57.8-553.8-2.5 TDs per campaign from 2021 through 2024 between the Vikings and Jets but failed to find his footing with the Chargers in 2025, hauling in just seven passes for 101 yards in 13 regular-season games. The veteran tight end signed with the Lions heading into his age-31 season. Sam LaPorta is the unquestioned No. 1 TE in Detroit when healthy, but he missed the final eight games last season due to a back injury, and Conklin has shown a higher ceiling as a pass catcher than Brock Wright among LaPorta's backups.