Pros and cons of re-signing tight end Shane Zylstra

The Detroit Lions tight ends room has been a disaster in 2025. Among all positions, no unit has faced more injuries and struggles than them. It can be argued that the secondary suffered more injuries, but it had enough depth to make it work. The Lions’ offense took a step back when their tight space started dropping like flies.

Third-string tight end Shane Zylstra was the first to go down, suffering an ankle injury in Week 2. The team would later lose starter Sam LaPorta and backup Brock Wright. With their three tight ends out, the team made several moves in free agency to try to help them. With the accumulation of injuries, the offense has had to adjust its running style, as the tight end position is crucial to its success.

For today, the focus is on Zylstra and whether the team should retain the former wide receiver, converted to tight end for another year in 2026.

Previous Lions free agent profiles: QB Kyle Allen, DT DJ player, LB Alex Anzalone, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, DB Avonte Maddox, CB Rock Ya-Sin,

Shane Zylstra

Expectations as 202 approaches5

As a third-string option, expectations weren’t very high for Zylstra in 2025. The year before, he played in 12 games and caught just one pass per yard. He wasn’t used often on offense and only saw his role increase if LaPorta or Wright were injured. He was more of a receiver-style tight end who blocked particularly well. With the team liking tight ends who could do both, he was limited in what the team saw in him.

Actual role in 2025

Note: PFF grades reflect a minimum of 20% snaps at this position. Zylstra did not reach this threshold

Season statistics — 6 games (3 starts): three catches for 20 yards.
164 offensive snaps.
68 special teams snaps.

PFF offensive grade: 44
PFF passing score: 49.7
PFF passage blocking level: 42.6
PFF execution blocking level: 41
PFF Special Teams Rating: 73.1

For most of the year, Zylstra was on the injured reserve list. After suffering an ankle injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, Zylstra did not return until Week 15. Zylstra got his full receiving stats for the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. Although he had more offensive snaps than special teams, that was because before suffering the injury, he had 13 special teams snaps of his offensive six and the Tight ends above him were healthy. Once he returned, the others weren’t there and he was forced to play more on offense than on special teams.

Outlook for 2026

Contract status: Unrestricted free agent

Benefits of re-signing

Bringing Zylstra back would be a cheap move for the team and for someone who knows the offense. The team could also see if he could move back to wide receiver if the team needed an additional body there.

Disadvantages of re-signing

Zylstra can’t stay healthy. He missed the entire 2023 season with a Torn MCLand missed 12 weeks in 2025 with an ankle injury. Since he’s already at third, he has a short leash before the team moves on from him and those injuries start to pile up. He will also turn 30 in November and the team could be looking to get younger in the room.

Is there interest on both sides?

I think Zylstra would like to come back, but I don’t know if the Lions would want him back. The team’s new offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, likes to run a tight end personnel and the type of tight end personnel he likes doesn’t match Zylstra’s skill set. Petzing likes tight ends who 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?

The cost of Zylstra would in my opinion be a minimum for veterans, which is assessed according to spotrac, at $1.2 million for 2026. I don’t think he can make a case for a higher salary with the performance he’s gotten over the last three seasons and no team should offer him anything more unless they see something others don’t see.

Conclusion

Overall, I think it’s time for the Lions to 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 job. Additionally, with the adjustments made to the offense, Zylstra is out of shape unless the team wants 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.