The Detroit Lions announced on Mar. 13 that they have signed tight end Tyler Conklin as an unrestricted free agent. The terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Conklin joins the Lions after playing last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he appeared in 13 games, starting five, and recorded seven receptions for 101 yards. He was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan. Over his career, which has included time with the Vikings, New York Jets, and Chargers, Conklin has played in 127 games with 69 starts and has made 270 receptions for 2,645 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
The Detroit Lions play their home games at Ford Field, a stadium developed through a $500 million investment from both public and private sources according to the official site. The team receives funding from entities such as the City of Detroit and Ford Motor Company according to the official site.
Ford Field is known for its optimal sight lines during professional football games according to the official website. The venue hosts nearly 1.5 million attendees each year for various events, contributing to community engagement in Detroit according to the official website. The stadium features a seven-story atrium and incorporates a historic warehouse from the 1920s according to the official website. It covers about 1.85 million square feet and includes seating for approximately 65,000 people according to the official website.
The addition of Conklin brings further depth to the Lions’ roster as they prepare for upcoming seasons at Ford Field.
