The Jets face a tough decision on whether to re-sign tight end Tyler Conklin after his solid performance over the past three seasons
New York: The Jets signed Tyler Conklin to a three-year deal before the 2022 season. He caught over 50 passes each year as their starting tight end. But now, that contract is up, and the Jets need to decide if they want to keep him around.
So, should they bring him back? On one hand, Conklin has been a reliable player. He missed just one game, and that was for a pretty good reason—his wife went into labor. His durability has been a big plus for a team that struggled with depth at tight end.
Plus, he’s got great hands. He dropped only one pass this season and just seven total over three years. That’s impressive! Conklin is also a well-rounded tight end. At 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, he can block and run routes effectively.
Even though he didn’t make the Pro Bowl this year, he’s shown he can be a starter after a slow start in Minnesota. If the Jets let him go, they might regret it. They were hoping younger guys like Jeremy Ruckert and Zack Kuntz would step up, but that hasn’t happened yet.
On the flip side, Conklin’s production has been a bit up and down. After Todd Downing took over playcalling, his numbers dipped. He only had 136 receiving yards in the last eight games, and a lot of that came when the game was already decided.
His blocking has also been inconsistent. The Jets have used him less in pass protection, which isn’t a great sign. Plus, he’s not exactly a big-play threat. He averaged just 8.8 yards per catch this past season, the lowest since 2019.
While he caught a career-high four touchdowns, he hasn’t been a red zone threat overall. As he turns 30, it’s hard to see him improving much. He might be a steady player, but his upside seems limited.
In the end, Conklin will likely sign a starter-level deal with another team. Whether that’s the right move for the Jets is up for debate. If they don’t see him fitting into their new plans, they might let him hit free agency and look for younger, more dynamic options at tight end.