According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, tight end Brock Wright has signed an offer sheet with the San Francisco 49ers, putting the Detroit Lions at risk of losing the veteran tight end.
This offseason, the Lions gave Wright a $2.985 million restricted free agent tender for one season. At that point, Wright had two options: sign the one-year contract or keep looking for a better deal elsewhere. It is apparent that he chose the latter choice and went to explore what his market was.
However, Wright might return to Detroit. By using the restricted free agent tender, the Lions can now match whatever contract offer the 49ers make him. Currently, the details of that offer
But if Detroit opts to match it, he’ll stay with the Lions. If not, the 49ers will get to sign him, and the Lions won’t receive any compensation in return, because the Lions used the “right of first refusal only” tender (which comes with the lowest salary).
Wright has spent the last three seasons with the Lions, primarily as the team’s backup tight end but also playing a significant role as a blocker. He’s appeared in 41 games, 19 of which were starts, and has 43 catches, 424 yards, and seven touchdowns.
If the Lions lose Wright, they will be shorthanded at tight end. The Lions now have only three tight ends under contract: Sam LaPorta, James Mitchell, and Shane Zylstra.
