The Jets are interested in re-signing Tyler Conklin, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, though the veteran tight end is still available after a week of free agency.
Cimini’s report was from the first day of the legal tampering period and also mentioned that Conklin was “one of the more coveted TEs on the market.” Since then, Juwan Johnson re-signed with the Saints, Zach Ertz re-signed with the Commanders, and Evan Engram signed with the Broncos. The Jets, meanwhile, have only added ex-Charger Stone Smartt and saw 2024 backup Kenny Yeboah sign with the Lions.
That leaves Conklin as the best veteran option for the Jets, who have no tight ends with significant experience behind 2022 third-rounder Jeremy Ruckert.
New York has plenty of cap space to accommodate another contract for Conklin, who earned $6.75MM per year on his last deal. The team could be planning to invest in a strong tight end draft class and may not want to make a long-term commitment with the 29-year-old Conklin.
Still, he has been a reliable contributor to an unstable Jets offense over the last three years, making 50 appearances with 43 starts and averaging 3.4 receptions and 32.4 receiving yards per game. He was less productive in the red zone, scoring only seven touchdowns while in New York, but he remains a solid blocker and veteran presence in the locker room.