The Detroit Lions appeared to address their tight end depth with a tender for Brock Wright and free agent contract for Shane Zylstra this offseason. But the Lions will need to take another step to secure Wright’s services for the 2024 season.
That’s because on March 29, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the San Francisco 49ers signed Wright to an offer sheet. Because he’s a restricted free agent, the Lions have five days to match the offer to keep Wright.
“Some rare RFA action: Lions restricted free agent Brock Wright has signed an offer sheet from the 49ers, sources say,” Rapoport tweeted. “Detroit now has five days to match.”
This is noteworthy for a few reasons. For one, it adds fuel to a potential Lions-49ers rivalry. San Francisco erased a 17-point halftime deficit against Detroit in the NFC championship game to advance to this year’s Super Bowl.
Both teams are expected to be contenders again in 2024. At the very least, with signing Wright to an offer sheet, the 49ers are raising the price for Detroit to keep one of its veteran tight ends.
Wright posted 13 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in 14 contests last season. He has recorded 43 receptions, 424 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in three NFL seasons.
An undrafted free agent from 2021, Wright has mostly been a blocking tight end for Detroit.
