Lions Match Brock Wright Contract Offer From 49ers, Per Report

The 25-year-old tight end recorded 13 catches in 2023.

NFC Divisional Playoffs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions / Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages

The Detroit Lions are bringing back a key depth piece for 2024 and beyond. On Wednesday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported the team had matched restricted free agent Brock Wright's contract offer from the San Francisco 49ers. The move locks Detroit into a three-year deal worth $12 million for Wright, and they officially announced the move on their social channels shortly after the news broke.

Wright's stat line from 2023 suggests this is not a ground-breaking move. The 25-year-old tight end recorded 13 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown in 14 games last year. He missed the last three games of the regular season due to a hip injury, then broke his forearm in Detroit's Divisional Round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wright is certainly not as crucial to the Lions' offense as All-Pro Sam LaPorta. But he is important.

Wright is reliable blocker for Dan Campbell's squad and has had some highlight-reel plays out of the few passes he does catch. Defenses often leave him uncovered and he's athletic enough to make them pay in those situations. The Lions, who enjoy a plethora of offensive talent, just don't look to him for that often.

Ultimately this is a cost-effective move to shore up depth on a contending team's roster. Wright's contribution as a reliable backup tight end the coaching staff loves is worth the relatively minor salary Detroit will pay him. Especially with big-time extensions on the horizon for Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell. The Lions need all the affordable help they can get, and Wright qualifies.

Liam McKeone is an editor at The Big Lead.