Lions to tender TE Brock Wright RFA contract; working on Anthony Pittman

In a thin tight end market, the Detroit Lions are taking steps to keep one of their own.

The Lions have informed third-year tight end Brock Wright they will tender him as a restricted free agent before the start of the 2024 league year, OverTheCap.com reported Thursday.

Wright has appeared in 41 games with 19 starts for the Lions over the past three seasons. He set career-highs with 18 catches for 216 yards in 2022 and caught a key touchdown pass in a Week 10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last season, but has been used mostly as a blocking tight end to this point in his career.

Last season, Wright had 13 catches for 91 yards but missed the playoffs with a broken left forearm.

With a right of first refusal tender of $2.985 million, the Lions retain the right to match any contract Wright signs in free agency. The contract is not guaranteed.

Tight end is considered one of the thinnest positions in free agency this year, though two tight ends could go in the first round of April's draft, Georgia's Brock Bowers and Texas' Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Earlier this week, the Lions informed cornerback Jerry Jacobs they would not tender him a contract offer before free agency, making him an unrestricted free agent next week. The Lions also do not plan to tender linebacker Anthony Pittman a contract, but are working on a deal to bring him back for 2023.

Long snapper Scott Daly, cornerback Khalil

Dorsey and defensive tackle Benito Jones also are pending RFAs.

NFL Network reported the Lions will not tender exclusive rights free agent Chase Lucas, making him eligible to sign anywhere once the new league year opens.

— Dave Birkett