By Blessing 
The Detroit Lions are adding some veteran depth to their tight end group, signing Kenny Yeboah to a one-year deal after prying him away from the New York Jets. The move was first reported by the Detroit Free Press, and Yeboah confirmed the news himself by retweeting reports on Friday night.
Yeboah, 26, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss in 2021. While his opportunities in New York were limited, he’s carved out a role between offense and special teams. Over three seasons, he’s totaled nine catches, including five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown during the 2024 campaign. He logged 106 offensive snaps last season, along with 169 on special teams.
Detroit didn’t have a glaring hole at tight end, but there was a quiet need for more depth behind their top duo. Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright are locked in as the team’s primary options. LaPorta, in particular, has quickly become one of the NFL’s elite tight ends, racking up 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns across his first two seasons. Wright, meanwhile, has been a reliable second option, handling the physical side of the job well.
With James Mitchell now in Carolina and Shane Zylstra still on the free-agent market, Yeboah’s arrival gives the Lions a big-bodied, experienced player who could compete for a rotational role and contribute on special teams.
It’s still possible Detroit brings back Zylstra or targets another tight end in the draft, but for now, Yeboah’s signing adds valuable competition and insurance to the tight end room.