The Chargers hosted TE Evan Engram a week ago at their facility. Unfortunately for both sides, they couldn't strike a deal. He ended up signing with Denver on a two year, $23 million contract.
The Chargers have been inactive on the tight end front to this point in free agency. Should they want to give up a pick, they could possibly trade for Philadelphia's Dallas Goedert or Baltimore's Mark Andrews. But a new update would make it seem like the Chargers are still browsing the free agent market.
Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Los Angeles will host Jets' free agent Tyler Conklin on a visit. Conklin has spent the last three years with New York since he was signed as a free agent in the 2022 offseason. In his three seasons with the Jets, the veteran TE has posted 170 catches, 1622 yards and seven touchdowns.
Conklin at this stage of his career would provide the Chargers with a solid floor raiser in the passing game. While posting 1070 yards in his last two years with New York, Conklin has managed to have smooth hands. He posted a 0 percent drop rate in 2024 and a 1.6% drop rate in 2023. He's registered just one drop in the past two seasons via PFF's charting.
Conklin can be thought of in the way of what the Chargers had originally expected to get out of Hayden Hurst in 2024. He's a solid pass catcher that shouldn't be expected to block much. With Will Dissly and Tucker Fisk in the fold, it's likely that Conklin could more or less just focus on that piece of his game.
It's worth noting that Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander was Jets' Director of Player Personnel when Conklin originally signed with New York. That's a relatively strong connection that could land him on the Chargers' roster when things are said and done.
As the Chargers begin their pivot to the second wave of free agency and the NFL Draft, Conklin would be a decent enough pass catcher to add to the room if they're not planning on a Goedert/Andrews level trade.