Contract Status of Detroit Lions' Tight Ends in 2023

The Detroit Lions entered the 2022 campaign with Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson as their No. 1 tight end.

He and Lions veteran signal-caller Jared Goff were off to a solid start, having connected with each other 26 times for 395 yards and three touchdowns through seven games.

However, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes decided to deal Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings at the Nov. 1 trade deadline, leaving a massive hole at tight end.

Fortunately for the Lions, reserve tight ends Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell each stepped up in Hockenson's absence, and became a reliable group of pass-catchers for Goff down the stretch of the season.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the tight ends presently under contract for the 2023 season.

Brock Wright

Wright finished the season as the Lions' primary starter at tight end, after Hockenson was dealt at the Nov. 1 trade deadline.

Wright's biggest moment in 2022 came when he connected with Goff on a 51-yard touchdown pass to beat the Jets in Week 15.

The 24-year-old tight end is set to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason.

Subsequently, if the Lions decide to offer Wright a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), he will not be able to negotiate with other teams.

James Mitchell

Mitchell, a fifth-round pick of the Lions in 2022, finished his rookie campaign with 11 catches, 113 yards and a score.

The Virginia Tech product is signed with Detroit through 2025 as part of his rookie contract, and carries with him a cap hit of $930,639 in 2023.

Additionally, he has $181,917 remaining in guaranteed money.

Shane Zylstra

Just like Wright and Mitchell, Zylstra helped fill the void that was created by the midseason trade of Hockenson.

Zylstra ended up suiting up for 13 games and compiling 11 receptions, 60 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those touchdowns came in a career-best effort against the Panthers in Week 16.

As is the case with Wright, Zylstra will be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason. So, if the Lions decide to offer Zylstra a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), he will not be able to negotiate with other NFL franchises.

Garrett Griffin

Griffin finished the 2022 season on Detroit's practice squad, and is classified as a "street free agent" going into the offseason.

A street free agent (SFA) is a player who was under contract with an NFL organization in '22, but not on an active roster at season’s end. Griffin subsequently is free to sign with any team immediately.

Derrick Deese Jr.

Deese was an undrafted rookie free-agent acquisition an offseason ago out of San Jose State, and spent training camp with the Lions.

However, he was later released during roster cutdowns, and didn't make it past six days on Detroit's initial practice squad.

Recently, he was signed to a futures deal by Holmes & Co., meaning that Deese's contract won't count against the Lions' salary cap until a “future” date (the start of free agency).