Former Vikings TE Signs with Chargers
Ex-Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin has chosen a spot for his career’s third chapter.
Former Vikings TE Signs with Chargers
He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers last week, joining Jim Harbaugh and friends in the AFC West. Free agency’s second wave is starting to wind down, with the NFL draft about 4.5 weeks away, and the Chargers could select a rookie tight end next month or just roll with Conklin as the primary option.
The Chargers for Conklin
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Former Jets TE Tyler Conklin reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Chargers, per his agent Mike McCartney. Comp update: Tyler Conklin is signing a 1-year deal for $3 million; with upsides to $4.5M.”
NFL Network‘s Mike Garafolo added, “The one-year deal for new Chargers TE Tyler Conklin has a base value of $3 million, with upside to $4.5 million, source says. Reachable incentives to get to the max value. A good deal for Conklin at this point in free agency.”
Conklin will hope for an increased workload in Los Angeles, pairing with one of the NFL’s most consistent quarterbacks, Justin Herbert, although Herbert flamed out in the playoffs two months ago.
Los Angeles’ Pass-Catchers
Los Angeles’ receivers and tight end groups continue to take shape, with two weeks of free agency in the rearview.
These are the tight ends in the house before the draft:
- Tyler Conklin
- Will Dissly
- Tucker Fisk
- McCallan Castles
And Herbert’s wide receivers:
- Ladd McConkey
- Quentin Johnston
- Mike Williams
- Derius Davis
- Brenden Rice
- Jalen Reagor
- Jaylen Johnson
- Dez Fitzpatrick
A tight end from the 2024 roster, Hayden Hurst, remains a free agent.
Bolt Beat‘s Jason Reed summarized Los Angeles’ tight end situation for the offseason, “Tight end was one of the Chargers’ biggest roster holes heading into the offseason and this signing helps bolster the room. Conklin alone is not enough to turn the Chargers’ tight end room into a menacing force, but he is enough to give the room some kind of juice in the passing game.”
“Dissly was never meant to be a primary weapon in the Chargers’ passing game but he had to assume those duties late in the season due to injuries. While Dissly had some promising moments in the regular season, he flushed them all down the toilet with an awful showing in the NFL Playoffs.”
Tyler Conklin Biography
Conklin stole the show in the purple TE room in 2021, tabulating an unexpected 593 yards on 61 receptions for 3 touchdowns. Minnesota traded for a man named Chris Herndon before the 2021 season began, but he was ignored in favor of Conklin.
And thanks to his impressive 2021 campaign, Conklin cashed in via 2022 free agency with the New York Jets, landing a deal for three years and $20.5 million. The Vikings couldn’t afford that monetary figure, Conklin walked to the Big Apple, Minnesota put eggs in Irv Smith’s basket, and later traded for T.J. Hockenson when Smith was injured.
In 114 career games (64 starts), Conklin has banked 263 receptions for 2,544 yards and 11 touchdowns. When starting, he averages about 30 receiving yards per game, a standard stat line for a mediocre-to-decent tight end.
Ex-Vikings general manager Rick Spielman pulled Conklin from Round 5 of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Other Former Vikings This Offseason
Other former Vikings (on the team before 2024) around the business have found new destinations in the last two weeks. Alexander Mattison (RB) is a Miami Dolphin. The Cleveland Browns unexpectedly cut ties with Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), and he landed in Arizona with the Cardinals. Kris Boyd (CB) signed with Conklin’s former team, the Jets.
DT Khyiris Tonga came to terms with the New England Patriots. A former teammate of Conklin’s in Minnesota, linebacker Troy Dye, re-upped with the Chargers.
Conklin will turn 30 this summer.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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