Lions Re-Sign Shane Zylstra

Lions bring back backup tight end.

The Detroit Lions announced Monday that they have re-signed tight end Shane Zylstra. 

Terms of the contract were not immediately available. Zylstra returns to the organization after missing all of the 2023 season, due to a knee injury suffered in training camp. 

The tight end was set to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, but will remain with Dan Campbell's team. Traditionally, deals reached with exclusive rights free agents are one-year commitments for the league minimum. 

Zylstra did make an impact for the Lions in the 2022 campaign. After trading away starter T.J. Hockenson at the trade deadline, Zylstra was part of a tandem that helped replace the vacated production. 

Playing 13 games in 2022, he caught 11 passes for 60 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those scores came in one game, a Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. 

Zylstra has recorded 14 career receptions for 94 yards over two NFL seasons. He initially broke into the league by signing with the Vikings' practice squad in 2021. After being released during roster cuts that season, he signed with the Lions' practice squad. 

The tight end played collegiately at Minnesota State, where he set numerous school records. He caught 227 passes for 4,297 receiving yards and 54 touchdown receptions over four campaigns with the Mavericks. 

Detroit is set with starter Sam LaPorta, who set the NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end. However, depth is a concern, as Brock Wright is set to be a restricted free agent and James Mitchell's development has been hindered by injuries.