Pros and Cons of Lions Matching Brock Wright's Offer Sheet

Should Lions retain tight end Brock Wright?

Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) makes a catch against the Green Bay Packers. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Detroit Lions offered just one of their restricted free agents a tender for the 2024 season -- tight end Brock Wright.

Now, the team is in danger of losing the three-year vet. On Friday, reports surfaced that Wright had signed an offer sheet with the San Francisco 49ers reportedly worth $12 million over three years.

Now, the Lions must decide whether or not to match the offer and retain his services for the future. Initially, the organization offered him a one-year contract worth $2.985 million. In order to keep him, the Lions must match the figures presented by the 49ers.

Deciding whether to bring Wright back on a three-year deal brings several factors. For starters, the Lions already have one of the best young tight ends in the league in the form of Sam LaPorta. After a record-setting rookie campaign, LaPorta looks the part of a star early in his career.

Since cracking Detroit's roster in 2021 after going undrafted, Wright has been a mainstay at the tight end positon. Though he's never maintained a starting caliber role, he's served as solid depth behind T.J. Hockenson and now LaPorta.

While Wright caught just 13 passes for 91 yards and one score last year, he played a big role in the run game for Detroit. In Ben Johnson's attack that features two standout running backs, Wright was a key part of the success working in tandem with LaPorta.

Those contributions would be worthy of a contract that will demand $4 million annually. The Lions have several key players who are extension-eligible, and Wright's contract would put a small dent in their available funds.

If the Lions don't decide to hand that out to Wright, it is placed in an interesting position. Little has been seen of James Mitchell, who was a rotational player as a rookie and did little in his second NFL campaign. Now heading into his third year, this offseason will be a pivotal one for Mitchell.

If ever there was a time for the Lions to take a chance on what they have in Mitchell, it would be the 2024 campaign. His rookie contract expires the following year, so this year could allow the Lions to evaluate what they have.

Additionally, Shane Zylstra is returning after inking a new one-year deal. After Hockenson was traded at the 2022 deadline, Zylstra made his presence felt with four total touchdown grabs, including three in one game against the Carolina Panthers.

Zylstra had his 2023 season end in training camp after suffering a knee injury. Now, he has a chance to earn a spot in the upcoming season.

Ultimately, Wright has been an important part of the Lions' offense. The decision by the 49ers to sign him to the offer sheet puts Detroit in a precarious position, and losing him would strengthen the chances of the team picking a tight end in the Draft to back up LaPorta.

As long as LaPorta is healthy and on the roster, the Lions will have one of the league's preeminent tight ends. However, the depth is now in question.