{"id":43078,"date":"2026-02-08T00:51:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T00:51:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=43078"},"modified":"2026-02-08T00:51:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T00:51:58","slug":"one-free-agent-te-the-detroit-lions-should-absolutely-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=43078","title":{"rendered":"One Free Agent TE the Detroit Lions Should Absolutely Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the Detroit Lions<\/strong> reshape their offense under new coordinator Drew Petzing<\/strong>, it\u2019s no surprise the tight end position has become a hot topic. With Petzing known for leaning heavily on 12- and 13-personnel looks, one local voice from Lions OnSI has started floating names that could fill a potential TE3 role.<\/p>\n

One of those names? Packers<\/strong> tight end John FitzPatrick<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Personally, I believe it\u2019s a move the Lions should avoid.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

\"One<\/p>\n

<\/dialog><\/div>
 <\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why FitzPatrick Is Being Linked to Detroit<\/h3>\n

The argument for FitzPatrick is built on a few understandable points:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Detroit needs depth behind Sam LaPorta<\/strong> and Brock Wright<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Petzing prefers heavier formations that require multiple tight ends<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    FitzPatrick has NFL experience and SEC pedigree<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    He wouldn\u2019t command a big contract<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    That\u2019s where the positives mostly end.<\/p>\n

    Injury History Is a Major Red Flag<\/h3>\n

    The Lions already enter the 2026 offseason with two tight ends coming off season-ending injuries<\/strong>. Adding a third with serious durability concerns is playing with fire.<\/p>\n

    FitzPatrick\u2019s injury history isn\u2019t a blip \u2014 it\u2019s a pattern:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Missed his entire rookie season on injured reserve<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Played through fractures in both feet at Georgia<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Suffered a torn Achilles in December 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      For a tight end expected to block in heavy sets, leg health matters. A lot. Achilles injuries are especially concerning for players who rely on leverage, drive, and lower-body power.<\/p>\n

      Stacking three tight ends with recent major injuries is not smart roster construction.<\/p>\n

      Blocking Doesn\u2019t Match Detroit\u2019s Identity<\/h3>\n

      This is where the fit really falls apart.<\/p>\n

      If the Lions are going to add a TE3, that player must block at a high level<\/strong>. Period.<\/p>\n

      FitzPatrick\u2019s run-blocking grades don\u2019t support that role. Among tight ends, he ranked near the bottom of the league in run blocking, trailing multiple other free-agent options who offer more reliability at the point of attack.<\/p>\n

      Detroit\u2019s offense is built on physicality. If a tight end can\u2019t consistently move people in the run game, he\u2019s not helping Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, or David Montgomery \u2014 and that defeats the purpose of adding depth.<\/p>\n

      Limited Receiving Upside<\/h3>\n

      Supporters point to FitzPatrick\u2019s size (6-foot-7) and \u201cdevelopmental upside,\u201d but the production simply hasn\u2019t been there.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        12 catches for 72 yards in 2025<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Never topped 100 receiving yards in a college season<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Has not shown separation ability or mismatch traits at the NFL level<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Detroit already has its primary receiving tight end in LaPorta. TE3 doesn\u2019t need to be a star \u2014 but he does need to bring something definitive to the table. FitzPatrick doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

        The Bottom Line<\/h3>\n

        Yes, John FitzPatrick is affordable.
        \nYes, he has size and toughness.
        \nYes, a local blogger can make the case.<\/p>\n

        But the Lions don\u2019t need another injury-prone, average-blocking tight end<\/strong> entering a critical season.<\/p>\n

        With cap constraints and a Super Bowl window still open, Detroit must prioritize availability, reliability, and physical dominance<\/strong>. FitzPatrick checks none of those boxes strongly enough to justify the risk.<\/p>\n

        This is one free agent the Lions should pass on.<\/p>\n

        The post One Free Agent TE the Detroit Lions Should Absolutely Avoid appeared first on Detroit Sports Nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Despite local speculation, the Detroit Lions should pass on free agent TE John FitzPatrick due to injury concerns and blocking limitations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":43079,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[2781,576,49,2778,52,51,1194,949,292,2779,2780],"class_list":["post-43078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions","tag-brock-wright","tag-david-montgomery","tag-detroit-lions","tag-drew-petzing","tag-jahmyr-gibbs","tag-jared-goff","tag-john-fitzpatrick","tag-packers","tag-sam-laporta","tag-tight-end-position","tag-tight-ends"],"yoast_head":"\nOne Free Agent TE the Detroit Lions Should Absolutely Avoid - Breaking News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=43078\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"One Free Agent TE the Detroit Lions Should Absolutely Avoid - 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