BREAKING NEWS: Lions Make $12 Million Decision on Backup TE

Brock Wright, a backup tight end, will remain with the Detroit Lions for the next three seasons after the team

matched the 49ers’ restricted free agency offer sheet.

On April 3, NFL Network source Ian Rapoport revealed that the 49ers’ three-year, $12 million offer to Wright was

matched by the Lions. ESPN went on to say that $6 million of the deal was guaranteed, keeping the seasoned tight

end committed for the foreseeable future.

The 25-year-old tight end Wright was offered a one-year, $2.985 million deal by the Lions, which included the right

of first refusal in the event that the player received an offer sheet. After Wright accepted the 49ers’ higher offer sheet,

the Lions had five days to determine whether to match it or allow Wright to sign with a rival team in their

conference. In the end, the Lions made the decision to retain Wright by giving him a raise.

Lions Keep Tight End Room Intact:

Since joining the Lions in 2021, Wright has established himself as a reliable presence in the tight end group, with 43

receptions for 424 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons. During the previous season, he was Sam LaPorta’s

main backup tight end, making 13 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown in 14 games.

Wright had a significant influence as well during the playoffs, as he caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the Lions’

victory against the Tampa Bay Bucs to advance them to the NFC championship game. He did not play in the team’s

next week’s loss to the 49ers, though, as he broke his forearm during the game.

Throughout the course of three seasons, Wright has played 456 total snaps as a special teams player.

As ESPN pointed out, if the Lions had not decided to match the offer sheet, the 49ers probably had a big role in store

for Wright.

“After Charlie Woerner signed as a free agency with the Atlanta Falcons, the 49ers pursued Wright as a possible

replacement for Woerner as their No. 2 tight end, behind starter George Kittle,” the report stated.

Wright, who established league and team records in his debut season, will probably go back to being LaPorta’s

backup. In addition to setting a league record for all rookie tight ends, his 86 receptions were also a record for a

Lions tight end. With 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns at the end of the season, LaPorta was named to the Pro

Bowl and the All-Pro team.

During an interview with Dan Miller of Fox 2 on November 9, LaPorta stated that the team had high standards for

him at the beginning of his career.

LaPorta said to Miller, “[The Lions] didn’t really allow me to be a rookie.” “They kind of just threw me into the fire

right away, which is good for the team and for my own performance individually.”

LaPorta is more than simply a pass-catcher, according to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who also highlighted his

ability to provide other offensive-related contributions.

According to Campbell, via The Athletic, “He’s really just taken off in the things that he’s able to do.” “What he brings

to the table—his ability to blitz, cover, and throw fits in the run game, among other things.”