The Los Angeles Chargers on Friday agreed to terms with tight end Tyler Conklin.
Here are five things to know about Conklin:
1. Strong 2024 season
Conklin is coming off a solid season, his seventh in the NFL.
He caught 51 passes for 449 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in 16 games with the Jets in 2024. It was his fourth-straight season with at least 50 receptions.
The 29-year-old was a reliable target for New York as he was one of only two tight ends with at least 50 targets to not drop a pass last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
2. Finding success in New York
The tight end saw his best years as a pro as a member of the Jets.
Conklin tallied up 170 receptions for 1,622 yards and seven touchdowns in 50 games (43 starts) for New York from 2022 to 2024.
The yardage total is 14th-most among all tight ends in that timespan, but his receptions are tied for the eighth most.
Conklin was reliable for the Jets missing just one regular-season game across three seasons and was tied for the fourth-fewest drops (five) among tight ends with at least 150 targets since 2022.
He's also been able to find some success running with the ball in his hands with the Jets as his 832 yards after the catch rank 10th among his position since 2022, according to PFF.
The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms with tight end Tyler Conklin.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) catches a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday Nov. 14, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 27-20. (John McGillen via AP)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) run a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 36-28. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
New York Jets' Tyler Conklin runs after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) stiff arms New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) reacts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin runs against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) plays against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) carries the bal against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) reacts during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) carries in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) makes a catch while warming up prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) reacts after gaining a first down against the New England Patriots during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs against Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) attempts a catch during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in London, England. (Sean Ryan via AP)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) runs with the ball past Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
3. Former Day 3 pick
The veteran tight end spent the first part of his career as a member of the Vikings.
Conklin was the No. 157 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by Minnesota and spent the first three seasons primarily in a special teams role with over 150 snaps each year.
But he saw a major jump in production during his final season with the Vikings in 2021.
Conklin hauled in 61 passes (third-most on team) for 593 yards (fourth-most) and three touchdowns that year.
4. TE in the MAC
Conklin attended Central Michigan, where he saw himself grow in the tight end role.
He broke out during his junior season by ranking third on the team with 42 catches and 560 receiving yards. He also added six touchdown catches.
And though he missed some time in his final season, he was still able to post 28 catches for 406 receiving yards and five touchdowns in seven games to earn Third-Team All-MAC honors.
5. Two-sport athlete
Prior to becoming an all-conference tight end for Central Michigan, Conklin actually began his collegiate career on the hardwood.
Conklin was a star in both football and basketball in high school and went to Division II Northwood University to play basketball.
But he would eventually transfer to Central Michigan, where he walked on the football team, found his footing and never looked back.
