The Detroit Lions ‘tight end room was a disaster in 2025. Out of all of the positions, no unit faced more injuries and difficulties than them. You can argue the secondary suffered from more injuries, but they had enough depth to make it work. The Lions’ offense took a step back when their tight end room starting dropping like flies.
Third-string tight end Shane Zylstra was the first one to go down, suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. Later on, the team would lose the starter in Sam LaPorta, and backup Brock Wright. With all three of their tight ends out, the team made multiple moves in free agency to try and help them out. With injuries stacking up, the offense had to adjust what style they could run because the tight end position is crucial to their success.
For today, the focus is on Zylstra and if the team should keep the former wide receiver, converted tight end around for another year in 2026.
Previous Lions free agent profiles: QB Kyle Allen,
Shane Zylstra
As the third-string option, the expectations weren’t very high for Zylstra in 2025. The year before he played in 12 games and only caught one pass for a yard. He wasn’t used often on offense and only saw his role increase if LaPorta or Wright were out with an injury. He was more of a receiver-styled tight end that did block particularly well. With the team loving tight ends that can do both, he was limited in what the team saw in him.
Actual role in 2025
Note: PFF grades reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position. Zylstra didn’t hit that threshold
Season stats — 6 games (3 starts): three catches for 20 yards.
164 offensive snaps.
68 special team snaps.
PFF offensive grade: 44
PFF passing grade: 49.7
PFF pass blocking grade: 42.6
PFF run blocking grade: 41
PFF special teams grade: 73.1
For a majority of the year, Zylstra was on the injured reserved list. After suffering the ankle injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, Zylstra didn’t return until Week 15. Zylstra got all of his receiving stats for the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. While he had more offensive snaps than special teams, that was because before he suffered the injury, he had 13 special teams snaps to his six offensive and the tight ends above him were healthy. Once he returned, the others weren’t there and he was forced to play more offense than special teams.
Outlook for 2026
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Pros of re-signing
Zylstra coming back would be a cheap move for the team, and someone who is familiar with the offense. The team could also see if he could go back to wide receiver if the team needs an extra body over there.
Cons of re-signing
Zylstra can’t seem to stay healthy. He missed the entire 2023 season with a torn MCL, and missed 12 weeks in 2025 with the ankle injury. With him already being at third-string, he has a short leash before the team moves on from him and those injuries are starting to add up. He will also be 30 in November and the team could look to get younger in the room.
Is there interest from both sides?
I would believe Zylstra would like to return, but I’m not sure if the Lions would want him back. The team’s new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing likes to run a heavy tight end personnel and the type of tight ends he likes don’t fit what Zylstra’s skillsets are. Petzing likes a tight end that can block, but also run routes and catch passes. Zylstra can catch passes and run routes, but his blocking has always been the weakest part of his game.
Cost?
Zylstra’s cost would be a veteran minimum in my opinion, which values according to spotrac, at $1.2 million for 2026. I don’t think he could argue for a higher salary with the output he’s had the last three seasons and no team should offer him anything more unless they see something others don’t.
Conclusion
Overall, I think it’s time of the Lions move on from Zylstra. The team needs more tight ends who can block, are younger, and can stay healthy. Detroit would be smart to draft a tight end this year and see if they can compete with Wright for the backup tight end job. Also, with the adjustments being made to the offense, Zylstra isn’t a fit anymore unless the team wanted to move him back to wide receiver.
What do you think the Lions should do with Shane Zylstra? Vote in the poll below and let us know in the comments.
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