It’s a one-year, $3 million contract with incentives that can reach up to $4.5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A former fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings, Conklin spent the last three years with the Jets. The 29-year-old tight end had career-highs in both catches (61) and yards (621) in 2023, when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1. Conklin’s situation has certainly improved with the move to the Chargers, where he’s ostensibly the top receiving tight end and a borderline TE1 in fantasy. Los Angeles could still opt to draft a tight end, though, and coach Jim Harbaugh is linked to top prospect Colston Loveland from their time at the University of Michigan.

Conklin has been a model of consistency over the last four years, most recently catching 51-of-67 targets for 449 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. The Chargers have allowed last year’s starter, Hayden Hurst, to test free agency this offseason. Should they sign Conklin, he would ostensibly assume a fantasy-relevant starting role.

Conklin should have little issue finding a suitor in free agency. The reliable 29-year-old has caught at least 51 passes while producing at least 499 receiving yards in four straight seasons. Hughes notes that the Jets are “expressing interest in free-agent tight ends,” including Juwan Johnson and John Bates.

Conklin found himself on the receiving end of Aaron Rodgers’ 500th career touchdown pass in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins. Conklin didn’t have quite the season some expected with a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center, but the veteran tight end now has four-straight seasons with 50-plus receptions to his name. A viable streaming option for fantasy managers this season, Conklin is now set to hit free agency, where he should see a healthy market as added depth on a roster. It seems unlikely a team would view him as a full-time starter, although we can’t rule it out in the right situation. Any fantasy value he has will be largely dependent on his landing spot this offseason.