The Detroit Lions will retain backup tight end Brock Wright for the next three seasons, matching the San Francisco 49ers’ offer sheet for the restricted free agent.
On April 3, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Lions had matched the 49ers’ three-year, $12 million offer to Wright. ESPN said that $6 million of the contract was guaranteed, securing the veteran tight end for the foreseeable future.
The Lions had offered Wright a one-year contract worth $2.985 million, with the right of first refusal if the 25-year-old tight end received an offer sheet. Wright accepted the 49ers’ higher offer sheet, leaving the Lions five days to decide whether to match it or let him leave to a conference opponent. The Lions eventually decided to give Wright a raise in order to keep him.
Lions Maintain Tight End Room. Wright has been a reliable tight end for the Lions since 2021, with 43 catches for 424 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons. He was the primary backup to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta last season, recording 13 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown in 14 games.
Wright also had a significant influence in the playoffs, receiving a 29-yard touchdown in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that advanced the Lions to the NFC championship game. However, he later broke his forearm during the game and missed the team’s loss to the 49ers the next week.
Wright has also been a mainstay on special teams, logging 456 snaps over three seasons.
According to ESPN, if the Lions had not elected to match the offer sheet, the 49ers would have likely planned a prominent role for Wright.
“The 49ers targeted Wright as a possible replacement for Charlie Woerner as their No. 2 tight end, behind starter George Kittle, after Woerner signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons,” according to the article.
Sam LaPorta’s breakthrough season
Wright is likely to return as LaPorta’s backup, having established both league and franchise records in his debut season. His 86 receptions were the most ever by a Lions tight end and set a league record for all rookie tight ends. LaPorta concluded the season with 889 receiving yards and ten touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition.
In an interview with Fox 2’s Dan Miller on November 9, LaPorta stated that the team had great expectations for him early in his career.
“[The Lions] didn’t really allow me to be a rookie,” LaPorta told Miller. “Right away, they kinda just threw me into the fire, which is a good thing for the team and for my own individual performance.”
Lions head coach Dan Campbell emphasized that LaPorta is more than just a pass-catcher, praising his ability to help the team in other ways.
“He’s really just taken off in the things that he’s able to do,” Campbell told The Athletic. “What he brings to the table, his blitz ability, his coverage ability, the fits in the run game, all of that.”
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