Detroit Lions sign former Michigan tight end, move on from rookie

The Detroit Lions filled out their 90-man roster following a successful rookie minicamp and tryout period, but with OTAs set to begin next week, they continue to shuffle their roster. On Thursday, the Lions announced that they have signed tight end Sean McKeon and released undrafted rookie tight end Isaac Rex.

McKeon originally went undrafted out of the University of Michigan in 2020 and signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He impressed enough in training camp that he earned a spot on the active roster as the team’s fourth tight end option, even starting one game during his rookie season.

Over the next four years, McKeon played 45 games with the Cowboys, including three starts, but he was mainly used as a blocker and on special teams. In total, according to PFF, he saw 428 offensive snaps and 570 special teams snaps over his career, receiving above-average grades as a blocker (79.2 pass blocking grade in 2023, 81.0 in 2022) and four-phase special teams contributor (64.7 grade in 2023, 72,2 as a rookie).

With the Lions returning their top four tight ends—Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, and Shane Zylstra—it’ll be a challenge for McKeon to crack the Lions lineup. But with the new special teams rules and Lions’ preference towards blocking tight ends, he’ll have a shot to earn a possible TE4 role in Detroit.

Rex was signed as an undrafted free agent but did not appear to do enough during rookie minicamp to warrant a spot on the roster. At this time, it’s unclear if he had a UDFA signing bonus or guarantees on his salary, and it’s unlikely they would have a significant impact on the Lions' salary cap.