The Detroit Lions signed former Jets tight end Kenny Yeboah during the first wave of NFL free agency last week, but they are not done building out their tight end room.
After not tendering him and letting him sit on the market for a week, the Lions are bringing back tight end Shane Zylstra per his agency Vayner Sports.
Zylstra had an interesting 2024 season. After a really good camp and preseason, he was surprisingly cut at final cut-downs. It still feels like the biggest surprise cut of last year's offseason.
Zysltra was brought back on the practice squad and was eventually added to the Lions' active roster in November and played the rest of the season off the bench. He averaged about 5-7 snaps a game and played on special teams.
Even with Zylstra back and Yeboah here now too, it wouldn't be surprising if the Lions dipped into the tight end spot in the 2025 NFL Draft at some point. They could use a guy who can run block and none of the four guys on the roster now have displayed that they can do that very well.
Zylstra should be an interesting watch this offseason and there's always been this feeling that he could potentially play a little receiver too. Maybe the Lions explore that this summer. This could be his year to make the 53-man roster right out of the gate.
