The Lions are angling to keep tight end Brock Wright, who's looking at a substantial raise.
Detroit is applying the right of first refusal/original-round tender to the restricted free agent tight end, according to Over The Cap. It's a one-year, $2.985 million offer, none of the money guaranteed.
Wright can either sign the deal or pursue a better one later this month in free agency, which the Lions would have the opportunity to match. They would not get draft pick compensation should they let him walk as Wright was an undrafted free agent.
It feels like a lot of money for a backup tight end -- more, in fact, than Wright made in his first three seasons combined. His cap hit would more than triple in 2024. But the NFL's salary cap is rising dramatically next season and Wright has been a steady, reliable player for the Lions and a quietly key cog in their excellent running game.
Wright hasn't been much of a pass-catcher, especially last season playing behind Pro Bowler Sam LaPorta. He caught 13 of 14 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in 2023. But he's delivered when called upon, including a 29-yard catch-and-run that extended a touchdown drive in the Lions' divisional round win over the Buccaneers.
Wright, 25, later broke his forearm in that game, which ended his season. But he's earned the trust of Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson and the Lions' offensive coaching staff over his three seasons in Detroit, and earned himself a raise.