The Detroit Lions' offense is pretty much set right now. They're missing one key piece, though, as Taylor Decker's departure has left them with more questions than answers at left tackle. Moving Penei Sewell is an option, and taking someone with the No. 17 pick is also a potential solution.
Once they take care of that, they can focus on figuring out how to feed all those mouths they have on that side of the ball. Notably, that might also mean parting ways with some guys, including Brock Wright.
Brock Wright Could be on Borrowed Time in Detroit
The Lions already have a budding star at TE in Sam LaPorta. He's coming off a back injury, but that shouldn't deter the team from signing him to a long-term contract extension. Then, bringing Tyler Conkin only made things more difficult for Wright, who's the obvious odd man out there.
While this team isn't likely to take another tight end in what figures to be a thin class at the position, they could reap the financial benefits that would come with parting ways with Wright. According to Over The Cap, they could save $3.58 million if they release him after June 1. Doing it before would only clear roughly $800K, which is why it makes sense that they didn't do it earlier in the offseason.
Wright has spent his entire career playing for Dan Campbell's team, but he's never been much of a factor. Last season, despite LaPorta's injury, he hauled in just 14 of 22 targets for 108 yards and two touchdowns. That usage isn't going to get much higher once LaPorta is back to full strength, and Conklin will most likely handle most of the TE2 duties, so there's simply no room or need for him anymore.
The Lions hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to take the reins of their offense and replace John Morton. That bodes well for tight ends, given how he helped Trey McBride become one of the best in the game. That said, with all due respect, Wright is no McBride.
If anything, this team needs as much cap space and roster spots to address other areas of need, mostly on the defensive side of the field. Wright might be a beloved and respected player in the building because of his history as a former undrafted free agent, but this is could be the end of the line for him in Detroit. He's a physical and willing blocker, though, so he'll probably land on his feet elsewhere.
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