NY Jets add Tyler Conklin, show that tight will be a big factor for Zach Wilson in 2022

The New York Jets spent the early part of this week showing us what is important to them. With every move since the start of free agency, we learn a little more about how general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh plan to build this roster back to respectability and what it might look like on the field. 

And one decision Wednesday revealed a major way the team will look different in 2022 from what we've seen in the recent past. 

Tight ends are coming back to the Jets' offense. 

After spending more than a decade treating the position like an afterthought, the Jets added a second proven tight end weapon when they agreed to sign former Viking Tyler Conklin. It's a three-year, $21 million deal, according to ESPN. NFL Network first reported the agreement. 

Conklin joins former Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah, who agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. 

NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.

Uzomah's contract contains $10 million in guarantees over the next two seasons, reported OverTheCap.com. And while we don't know the details of Conklin's contract yet, it's likely to push the total commitment over the next two seasons past $15 million for the two tight ends. 

Douglas hasn't exactly been known as a free spender during his Jets tenure, so the Jets clearly view the position as one that can help young quarterback Zach Wilson a ton in his critical sophomore season. And that's likely going to mean an offense that looks a lot different in 2022. 

The biggest change will be an obvious one: Wilson is going to be throwing to tight ends a lot more and there's going to be a better chance that good things will happen when he does.

That wasn't the case last season, when Jets' tight ends combined for 60 catches, 493 yards and three touchdowns. Conklin single-handedly produced more than that last season with the Vikings, when he caught 61 passes for 593 yards and three touchdowns.

Conklin, a 2018 fifth-round draft pick, didn't do much over his first three NFL seasons (32 catches and one touchdown) before getting the opportunity to play in 2021 because of an injury to Irv Smith. Conklin made the most of his chance, proving he has the talent and tools to be successful at this level. And the Jets are betting he can back it up, and with Conklin heading into his fifth NFL season at age 27, they are likely hoping he can keep improving.

But he won't be alone. He joins Uzomah, who has proven himself as a capable stating tight end in the seven seasons since the Bengals selected him in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. Uzomah played a key role in getting Cincinnati to the Super Bowl last year and at 29 he'll be in his prime as he tries to help the Jets replicate a similar turnaround. 

Signing two established tight ends at the same time gives the Jets a better chance of getting it right immediately -- each serves as a bit of insurance at the position in case the other suffers an injury or doesn't meet expectations. But it's also a big hint that the Jets plan to use more two tight-end sets moving forward, because in addition to their skills as playmakers, both Conklin and Uzomah are capable and enthusiastic blockers. 

The Jets tried to run some two-tight end sets early last season, but it was never something they could establish because the tight ends on the roster weren't good enough blockers or weapons to make it work. 

Now the Jets have the personnel to open up that flexibility within their offense. And while they still need more big play threats at receiver, having capable tight ends that opposing defenses must respect should give offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur a chance to unlock a whole new set of options like the ones available in the 49ers offensive system that he helped create. 

And for Wilson, it should mean better protection, better pass catching and a greater variety of options to attack opposing defenses with. All of that would put Wilson in a better position to succeed in this critical upcoming season and make this money well spent. 

Andy Vasquez is the Jets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Jets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.

Email: vasqueza@northjersey.com 

Twitter: @andy_vasquez