“Ready to Leave” Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright plans to leave as part of a contract extension.

The Lions should match the 49ers’ offer sheet and keep Brock Wright in Detroit.

The Detroit Lions have a decision to make about tight end Brock Wright, and here’s why they should match the 49ers’ offer sheet.

The Detroit Lions must make a crucial choice in the coming days, as they have until Wednesday to match the offer sheet tight end Brock Wright signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Although this is a tough choice that must be carefully considered, there are compelling reasons for the Lions to match the offer sheet.

Given Detroit’s current tight end situation, the Lions must retain young and potential talent like Wright. Wright brings consistency and continuity as the squad prepares to compete for the Super Bowl next season. Wright’s ability to block fits Detroit’s offensive strategy more than any other tight end on the squad. When called upon, he is a dependable receiver for quarterback Jared Goff.

Aside from his performance on the field, Wright’s knowledge with the Lions’ organisation and culture is valuable. Retaining him would preserve team cohesion and allow him to flourish inside the team’s culture. It avoids adding a tight end to the roster who is unfamiliar with the team’s offence and culture.

Financially, matching the 49ers’ offer sheet may necessitate some strategic manoeuvring, but the long-term advantages may outweigh the immediate expenses. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and Adam Schefter of ESPN, the offer sheet is for three years and $12 million, with $6 million guaranteed.

Detroit offered Wright a one-year restricted free agent tender of $2.985 million (no guaranteed money). As a result, the annual salary is not far off from the offer sheet. General manager Brad Holmes has acknowledged a desire to develop domestic talent, and investing in Wright fits that goal.

The exact regulations governing that type of thing are murky and not expressly stated, but if the offer sheet includes void years, the Lions may be allowed to change how the guaranteed money is paid out if they match it.

According to SI.com’s Christian Booher, the Lions could trade up from 29th overall in the first round of the NFL to obtain Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers is a good blocker, but he is regarded more as a pass-catcher than a blocker, which overlaps with Sam LaPorta’s position.

Keeping Brock Wright as the No. 2 tight end would not break the bank, and it would provide more of the roster stability that the Lions cherish so highly.