Could the Los Angeles Chargers sign top free-agent tight end Tyler Conklin to pair with quarterback Justin Herbert? Conklin, who started for the New York Jets over the past three seasons, is drawing interest from multiple NFL teams.
According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the Chargers are hosting Conklin on a free-agent visit. So far, Los Angeles has yet to make any offseason moves to address its need at tight end.
Adding Conklin would provide a valuable weapon for Herbert in 2025. One of Conklin’s standout traits is his durability—he has missed just three games in his seven-year NFL career, playing in 114 games with 64 starts. Teaming up with veteran Will Dissly, Conklin could give head coach Jim Harbaugh a reliable 1-2 punch at the position, potentially helping the Chargers return to the playoffs.
Despite an 11-7 record and securing the No. 5 seed in the AFC, Herbert and the Chargers fell to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round last season. Herbert, one of Oregon’s most beloved former players, is still searching for his first NFL playoff victory. Harbaugh remains confident in his quarterback, telling Pro Football Talk:
“It’s like being around greatness every single day. I would follow him to hell and back. I’ve never been around a competitor quite like him. Some great ones, but, you know, no doubt in my mind that Justin Herbert is not only one of the great quarterbacks in the NFL today but truly one of the great quarterbacks of all time.”
Conklin is coming off a strong 2024 season, playing in 16 games (15 starts) for the Jets, recording 51 receptions for 449 yards and four touchdowns. Originally a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan, he has totaled 263 catches for 2,544 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career, showing plenty of upside.
Herbert had an impressive 2024 campaign, completing 332 of 504 passes for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, while also rushing for 306 yards and two scores. His top target was rookie Ladd McConkey, who led the Chargers with 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. While the McConkey-Herbert connection is strong, adding another reliable pass-catcher like Conklin could further boost the offense.
Meanwhile, Herbert recently attended Oregon’s Pro Day to support his younger brother, Patrick Herbert, a tight end who had a solid showing in front of NFL scouts. Patrick played in all 14 games for the Ducks in 2024, making six starts and catching 10 passes for 97 yards as a senior. Though he wasn’t invited to the combine, he could be a late-round draft pick or an undrafted free agent, possibly reuniting with his older brother in Los Angeles.
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