Tyler Conklin Bio
Tyler Conklin (born July 30, 1995) is an American professional football tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He currently plays for the Detroit Lions, having signed a one-year contract with the team in March 2026. Previously, Conklin suited up for the Los Angeles Chargers, the New York Jets, and the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Conklin was born on July 30, 1995, in Chesterfield, Michigan, in the United States. He grew up in nearby Macomb Township, where he attended L’Anse Creuse High School – North. At L’Anse Creuse North, Conklin established himself as a standout two-sport athlete, lining up as a wide receiver on the football field and as a combo guard on the basketball court.
As a junior, Conklin led the L’Anse Creuse North basketball team to the Class A Final Four. He scored 22 points in a 59–46 semifinal loss to Saginaw High, the team that ultimately won the state championship. That basketball experience helped shape his overall athleticism and competitive mindset.
Path to American Football
After graduating from L’Anse Creuse North, Conklin accepted a full-ride basketball scholarship to Division II Northwood University. He stayed for one semester and appeared in seven games, averaging 1.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest. By the end of the fall 2013 semester, however, Conklin realized he was unhappy and decided to pursue football instead.
Conklin transferred to Central Michigan University and walked on to the football team in the spring of 2014. The coaching staff initially wanted him at defensive end, but he pushed to play tight end. After briefly considering a move to NAIA Siena Heights University to reunite with his former high school quarterback, Conklin chose to stay at Central Michigan, where the staff agreed to give him a shot at tight end and a chance to earn a scholarship in the spring of 2015.
Tyler Conklin Career
Early Career at Central Michigan (2014–2017)
Conklin redshirted his first year with the Chippewas, playing on the scout team while adding weight. After gaining roughly 25 pounds in the offseason, he earned a scholarship and served as a backup tight end in 2015, appearing in all 13 games and posting six receptions for 95 yards. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, he became a starter and logged 42 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns across 13 games.
The 2017 season was a turning point. During the first one-on-one drill of Central Michigan’s training camp in August 2017, Conklin broke a bone in his left foot and was diagnosed with a Jones fracture. He missed five games but returned on October 7, 2017, against Ohio, setting career highs with 10 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a 26–23 win. He finished the year with 35 catches for 504 yards and five scores in eight games, earning Third-team All-MAC honors.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2018–2021)
Conklin closed his Central Michigan career with 83 receptions for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns, then earned an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. There, he caught two passes, including a 16-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown from Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. At the 2018 NFL Combine, he ranked second among tight ends in the vertical jump, fourth in the broad jump, fifth in the three-cone drill, and ninth in the 40-yard dash.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Conklin in the fifth round, 157th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. He signed a four-year, $2.741 million contract that included a $281,032 signing bonus and made his NFL debut in the 2018 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, catching one pass for six yards. On December 20, 2020, in a Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears, Conklin recorded three receptions for 57 yards and his first career receiving touchdown.
New York Jets Era (2022–2024)
On March 18, 2022, Conklin signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the New York Jets. In his first season with the team, he played all 17 games with 16 starts and posted 58 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns. He remained a steady contributor the following year, appearing in all 17 games and finishing 2023 with 62 receptions for 621 scoreless yards.
In 2024, Conklin appeared in 16 games with 15 starts and set a career high with four receiving touchdowns, adding 51 receptions for 449 yards. Across three seasons with the Jets, he served as one of the offense’s most reliable tight ends and helped stabilize the tight end room.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2025)
On March 21, 2025, Conklin signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He appeared in 13 games with five starts, splitting time with rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II. Conklin finished the campaign with seven receptions for 101 yards, serving primarily as a blocker and veteran presence in the Chargers’ tight end rotation.
Detroit Lions Era (2026–Present)
On March 13, 2026, Conklin signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions, where he wears number 83 and is listed on the active roster. The move gives Detroit an experienced pass-catching tight end with a track record of durability, having played in every regular-season game in 2022 and 2023.
Driving Style and Strengths
Conklin is regarded as a well-rounded tight end whose basketball background shows up in his body control and contested-catch ability. He has been used as a reliable underneath target and chain mover, posting 270 career receptions for 2,645 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns through the 2025 season. His route-running polish and willingness as a blocker have made him a dependable complementary piece in multiple offenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Conklin’s signature college moment came in his 2017 return from a Jones fracture, when he set career highs with 10 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio. He earned Third-team All-MAC recognition in 2017, caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen at the 2018 Senior Bowl, and recorded his first NFL touchdown in a 2020 game against the Chicago Bears.
Tyler Conklin Career Wins
While tight ends are rarely measured in outright wins, Tyler Conklin has contributed to a steady stream of team victories and individual production since entering the league in 2018. His career totals through the 2025 season stand at 270 receptions, 2,645 receiving yards, and 11 receiving touchdowns across stints with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Los Angeles Chargers.
NFL Career Highlights
Conklin’s most productive season came in 2022, when he posted 58 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns with the Jets. He matched that availability in 2023 with 62 catches for 621 yards and set a personal best with four receiving touchdowns in 2024. He recorded his first career receiving touchdown on December 20, 2020, against the Chicago Bears while with the Vikings.
Other Performances
At the college level, Conklin capped his Central Michigan tenure with 83 receptions for 1,159 yards and 11 touchdowns, plus a Third-team All-MAC selection in 2017. At the 2018 Senior Bowl, he caught a 16-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown pass, a play that helped cement his draft stock as a fifth-round pick.
Tyler Conklin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Tyler Conklin’s parents and immediate family are limited. He grew up in the Macomb Township area of Michigan, where his athletic development was shaped by local schools and youth sports programs.
Personal Life
Conklin stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 248 pounds, a frame that supports his dual role as a receiver and blocker. He graduated from Central Michigan with a major in communications before launching his NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
Tyler Conklin’s 2025 campaign was spent with the Los Angeles Chargers after he signed a one-year, $3 million contract in March 2025. Working alongside rookie Oronde Gadsden II, Conklin appeared in 13 games with five starts and finished the year with seven receptions for 101 yards. The Chargers used him primarily as a blocker and situational pass catcher while grooming their younger tight end.
His veteran presence helped stabilize a tight end room that leaned heavily on Gadsden II as the primary receiving option. Conklin’s reliability in the running game and on special teams gave the Chargers flexibility even as his raw receiving totals stayed modest.
Looking ahead, Conklin’s one-year deal with the Chargers expired after 2025, opening the door for his next move. The Detroit Lions signed him to a one-year contract on March 13, 2026, signaling that teams around the league still value his experience, blocking, and pass-catching polish as he enters the next chapter of his career.
