Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish Tyler Conklin (83) and the Minnesota Vikings are launched as they put together to play the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Tight finish Tyler Conklin didn’t have a spectacular starting to his profession. The previous Vikings go catcher stepped up when he had an opportunity, although, resulting in him touchdown a robust payday when he stepped onto the open market of free company.
Former Vikings Playmaker Tyler Conklin Begins on PUP Listing
Initially, Mr. Conklin obtained into the NFL with little or no hype or fanfare. He did in order the No. 157 choice within the 2018 NFL Draft (fifth Spherical). That was the draft when Minnesota opted for an athletic offensive deal with at No. 62 in Pittsburgh’s Brian O’Neill.
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On the time, Kyle Rudolph was nonetheless locking down the highest spot. Conklin was concerned, taking part in in all sixteen video games whereas beginning a trio. His ultimate stats present 7 targets going for five catches and 77 yards. Promise, to make certain, however no one was making prophetic requires the second coming of Antonio Gates.
Aug 10, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers tight finish Tyler Conklin (83) drops a go in the course of the first quarter towards the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jon Endow-Imagn Photographs – Credit score: IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Join
The next seasons didn’t comprise a real breakout. His third season, although, did present some development as he caught 19 passes for 194 yards and his first profession landing. The modest statistical development might have whetted some appetites for what was to come back.
In 2021, Tyler Conklin had 61 catches go for 593 yards and three touchdowns. The 9.7 yards-per-catch common isn’t elite however wholesome sufficient. Likewise, the 26 1st downs from inside his catch whole is strong. A good finish ought to be a sequence mover; Conklin proved able to fulfilling that part of the job.
The timing of Conklin’s explosion was glorious since he was in a position to enterprise into free company after sending out these nice statistics. The Jets signed the veteran on a three-year deal for $20.25 million. Not a nasty increase after demanding simply $2.7 million throughout the opening 4 years of his NFL profession.
Conklin’s Jets contract would come to an finish after he fulfilled his work in New York from 2022-2024. Subsequent up was a 12 months as a Charger in 2025 prior to now working for the Lions in 2026.
Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets tight finish Tyler Conklin (83) makes a catch and scores a landing towards the Buffalo Payments in the course of the second half at Highmark Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Photographs – Credit score: USA TODAY Sports activities through Reuters Join
As issues stand, the Vikings sit in an odd spot at tight finish.
Most notably, T.J. Hockenson is functioning because the lead go catcher. He’s doing so after consecutive poor seasons and a contract haircut in March of 2026.
There’s then Josh Oliver to operate because the TE2 as any person who can bulldoze defenders; he doesn’t get the credit score he deserves. A pile of depth guys — Ben Yurosek, Gavin Bartholomew, Bryson Nesbit — are jostling for what’s one or two roster openings.
Is Hockenson absolutely safe in his roster spot? Buying and selling him may contain clearing away greater than $10 million in cap area, per Over the Cap.
With the previous Vikings go catcher, Tyler Conklin can hopefully get again to full well being. He’ll then look to graft himself right into a high-compete, robust Lions workforce that has flourished beneath the management of GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell. Conklin will do exactly positive.
Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets tight finish Tyler Conklin (83) alerts first down after a catch towards the New England Patriots in the course of the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-Imagn Photographs.
The Vikings play the Lions in Week 8 and in Week 15.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E mail: okay.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
