The Detroit Lions are facing a bit of a dilemma. The San Francisco 49ers approached tight end Brock Wright with an offer of a possibly much bigger deal after placing a restricted free agent tender (for one year, $2.985 million) on him. The tight end quickly signed a three-year, $12 million offer sheet with the 49ers.
However, the Lions have the option to match that offer and sign Wright back to Detroit under those conditions because they placed the RFA tender on him. They must decide by Wednesday at the latest.
Wright has been a key player for the Lions over the past three seasons. While some may undervalue the importance of a TE2, Detroit utilizes a second tight end more often than the average team. Wright has logged over 1,000 offensive snaps over the past two years, and he’s finished in the top 10 in Lions special teams snaps in each of the past two seasons.
So what should the Lions do?
Should the Lions match the 49ers’ offer for Brock Wright?
My answer: It’s complicated.
First we need to acknowledge what we don’t know in the situation. We don’t know exactly how this contract is framed. Three years, $12 million sounds like a lot—and we also know, per Adam Schefter, that there is $6 million guaranteed in this deal. But what if the deal looked like this?
Brock Wright: three years, $12M, $4.5M signing bonus
2024: $1.5M salary (all guaranteed), $1.5M signing bonus proration: $3M cap hit
2025: $2M salary, $1.5M signing bonus proration: $3.5M cap hit
2026: $4M salary, $1.5M signing bonus proration: $5.5M cap hit ($1.5M in dead cap if cut)
Granted, this is just a mock up of what the contract could look like, but is this really that much more than what the Lions offered? It would essentially operate as a two-year, $8 million deal, because he likely wouldn’t see the final year of that contract. So that would result in $8 million in cap hit spread out over three years ($3M, $3.5M, $1.5M). If this was the case, I think the Lions would be wise to match this.
The 49ers’ need for another last second miracle deserves a deep rewind
Furthermore, we’re not entirely sure how the Lions feel about James Mitchell. Mitchell has only played 340 snaps in his two professional seasons due to injuries, which is hardly enough to assess his potential from outside the building. If Detroit genuinely believes Mitchell is mature enough, especially as a blocker, then they might want to consider trading Mitchell. The trio of Shane Zylstra, Mitchell, and Sam LaPorta is excellent in that scenario. However, Mitchell’s style of play called for a great deal of run blocking, which is crucial for the TE2 position. Should he fall short of Wright’s offer, Detroit must move cautiously.
Naturally, a lot of you will tell me to “just draft one.” Yes, that might make sense in certain ways. At the job, you become younger and less expensive. However, what is known about Brad Holmes’s off-season activities? He dislikes having to choose a particular position before the draft even begins. In addition, hardly many tight ends in college have the ability to advance to the next level and succeed immediately away as blockers.
Another choice is free agency. For a TE2, $3–4 million a year is a steep price, and there are probably less expensive options available. But are there really that many good choices now that three weeks have passed in the free agency period?
So if the contract looks like the one I outlined above, and Detroit is still uncomfortable giving Mitchell a bigger role, I think Detroit should consider matching the 49ers’ offer.
Let’s hear what you think. Vote in the poll below, then scroll down to the comment section and explain your pick.
