The Los Angeles Chargers have the foundation of a strong contender in the AFC after hiring head coach Jim Harbaugh. They made the playoffs in his first season just one year after winning a mere five games, suggesting he's the type of coach that'll be around for the long term.
However, there are some clear holes on the roster that need to be addressed if this team is going to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. Quarterback Justin Herbert looks like one of the most promising young signal callers in the league, though he obviously needs more weapons.
One potential red-zone threat just joined the franchise, though his signing is raising questions about what direction the front office will go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft next month.
Former Jets TE Tyler Conklin reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Chargers, per his agent @MikeMcCartney7.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2025
Chargers Sign TE Tyler Conklin Amid Rumors of Drafting Michigan Standout Colstand Loveland
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Los Angeles signed a one-year contract with former New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin. At 29 years old, Conklin is an intriguing option who scored four TDs in 2024 while recording at least 449 receiving yards in each of the last four years.
The reason this is significant, aside from the Chargers finally adding a tight end, is that it could mean the team doesn't want to draft Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in April, whom they've repeatedly been rumored to grab.
With Conklin and veteran Will Dissly on the roster, it's possible that the front office elects to go in a different direction, perhaps even targeting a pure wide receiver. Loveland played for Harbaugh with the Wolverines so a potential reunion made sense, though now Los Angeles has more options and doesn't have to shoehorn itself into a difficult decision in the first round.
This is smart team-building, plain and simple. Hopefully, Conklin's best days are ahead of him and he can turn into a verifiable weapon for Herbert. Should Loveland become a star for another team though, this signing will have significant repercussions for the next half-decade.