The 2025 season did not go as planned for the Detroit Lions. Coming off a 15-win season, the Lions were healthier and hungrier after a disappointing playoff exit against the Washington Commanders.
But the disappointment continued, as the the Lions dropped to 9-8 and a last place divisional finish.
Even though tight end Tyler Conklin was not a part of that Lions team, he's already gotten a sense of how much that disappointment has weighed on the organization since he signed with the team as a free agent. Speaking on NFL Network's "The Insiders," Conklin shared what the vibes are like at Allen Park Performance Center.
"You can feel the disappointment in how things played out. The whole building feels like they underachieved, and missing the playoffs really hurt. I think that shows in how everybody comes to work every day hard, how everybody attacks our lifts, our running, our on-the-field stuff. It’s definitely something that I’ve been in a mix of different situations throughout my career, whether it was Minnesota, New York, and you can definitely just feel the sense of urgency of getting to where this team knows it can be."
That sentiment is consistent with the Lions' "Strictly business" schedule reveal. No fluff, no frills, just a team trying to lock in and get back into contention with the help of a fourth-place schedule.
As one of numerous Michigan natives brought in this offseason, Conklin knows full well how much last season hurt. He knows Detroit fans are desperate for a Super Bowl or any championship at this point. Even more so now after the Detroit Pistons' similarly disappointing exit during the NBA playoffs as a #1 seed.
Dan Campbell's infamous "That may have been our only shot" quote continues to echo throughout Michigan, and the weight of the next Detroit championship continues to get heavier for Campbell and the Lions as fans now see them as the best shot right now.
Based on Conklin's response, the Lions are definitely feeling that pressure.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Lions TE Tyler Conklin joined the show, discussing being back in Michigan, his foundation, and playing with Jared Goff. pic.twitter.com/eqPmr3CTXY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 14, 2026
Conklin on what he's seen out of Jared Goff so far
In joining the Lions, Conklin is going from one franchise quarterback to another. Jared Goff is certainly a different model of QB compared to the younger Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert, so Conklin was asked what has stood out about his new QB so far.
"Just kind of the way he talks about (the game), whether it's certain routes, or how he wants something done, or how he sees something. If someone plays you this way, how you should run it. Some quarterbacks are just 'Hey, go get open and do what the plays says,' and some give you a little more detail.
So far, the way he kind of details things up, and explains how he sees things, I think it really makes it exciting as a route runner or pass catcher, but it also just helps you have a cohesive unit."
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Conklin figures to have more success under Goff than he did under Herbert. Last season, Conklin only had seven receptions for 101 yards. Given concerns surrounding TE Sam LaPorta's back injury, Conklin should get more opportunities throughout the season as the reliable veteran backup to lean on when LaPorta is off the field for whatever reason.
Goff has also been a higher-volume QB in the throwing game compared to Herbert, after finishing second in passing yards for three consecutive seasons, whereas Herbert hasn't reached the 4,000-yard plateau since the 2022 season. But again, they're different models of QBs, and Herbert can impact the game in ways Goff can't, namely in the run department.
The 2026 Lions have a long list of boxes they need to check to contend again. For many of those boxes, it comes down to players, including Conklin and Goff, doing their jobs, however big or small. With the sting of last season still felt, it appears the organization, from top to bottom, is determined to do just that.
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