MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

The Chargers have resolved their tight end issues for now. After bringing in Tyler Conklin for a visit the Chargers signed the former New York Jets tight end to a one-year, $3 million deal Friday. Conklin can make up to $4.5 million with incentives.

Conklin spent the last three years with the Jets. Last season he played in 16 games, with 15 starts, and had 51 receptions for 449 yards and four touchdowns.

There had been talk of the Chargers pursuing Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in the first round of the draft or another tight end in the later rounds. But Conklin is the guy for now.

The Chargers also have Will Dissly, Tucker Fisk and McCallan Castle in the position room but Conklin provides much more stability and is the pass-catching tight end they have been looking for.

Conklin spent the first four years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings after being drafted in 2018. He has 2,544 receiving yards in his career.

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The Chargers also filled a hole at guard inking Mekhi Becton to a two-year deal last week. Becton earned a Super Bowl ring last year with the Philadelphia Eagles and goes by the name “Big Ticket”. A fitting moniker considering he stands 6’7″ and tips the scale at 364 pounds. Becton is used to blocking for mobile quarterbacks having protected Lamar Jackson in college and blocking for Jalen Hurts in Philly. He should be able to open up some running room for Justin Herbert.

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As long as we’re talking offensive line another area of concern for the Chargers in the off season was the center position. They have shored up that up as well. First, they brought back Bradley Bozeman, then on Wednesday they signed Andre Jones to solidify some depth at the position.

James has spent all six of his years in the NFL with the Raiders where he made himself a regular starter. In the last four years he has started 59 of the 61 games played. James, who played his college ball at UCLA, signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Raiders after the 2023 season but the team felt his performance slipped last year and he was let go for salary reasons. He is expected to backup Bozeman for now but could compete for the starting job in camp.

Tim can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter (X) @tspeterson40 or Facebook-Tim Peterson.