Tight end Tyler Conklin sees chance to flourish in Jets offense

Tyler Conklin went to a pretty good source to learn more about playing tight end in the Jets’ system: George Kittle.

Conklin attended Tight End University in Nashville, where he spoke to Kittle, the 49ers Pro Bowler, about the scheme that Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur brought with him from San Francisco.

“It was a good event to really go out there and just talk to guys and figure out what works for them in different aspects of the game,” Conklin said. “I really wanted to talk to George because of this system. He said the better you can play in the run game the more opportunity you can get in the pass game.

“That’s something that I think is encouraging because most tight ends like catching the ball, but to go out there and be like, ‘I’m going to be more open if I can go and block my butt off.’ I’m going to block hard either way, but there’s a little more incentive.”

The Jets gave Conklin a three-year, $20.25 million contract in free agency. Throughout camp, Conklin has shown he can stand out in the Jets’ offense.

Conklin, who caught 61 passes last season for the Vikings, quickly developed chemistry with Zach Wilson before the young quarterback suffered a knee injury in the preseason. Now Conklin is working on building it with Joe Flacco.

The tight end position is such an important part of the West Coast system LaFleur uses. Kittle has starred in it, but he’s an elite tight end. The 6-3, 254-pound Conklin is showing he can make an impact catching the ball or blocking in this tight end friendly scheme.

“I love it,” Conklin said. “I’ve always prided myself, I think everybody in our room prides ourselves in being able to do everything as a tight end: run game, pass game, pass protection. This offense allows you to go out there and do that.

“It allows you to go and play your butt off in the run game. You do that, you’re going to give yourself more opportunity in the pass game. I think it’s an awesome system for a tight end.”

The Jets have dramatically upgraded the tight end room. They also signed productive veteran C.J. Uzomah away from Cincinnati and drafted Jeremy Ruckert of Lindenhurst.

Conklin feels the Jets will be tough to cover when they run 12 personnel (two tight ends) or if he’s on the field with receivers Corey Davis, Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson. Conklin could be in line for a big season in this offense.

“I just feel like for opposing defenses they’re going to have a heck of a time matching up however we want to do it,” Conklin said. “No matter what the personnel is and who you put out there on the field we have the opportunity to get the matchups that we want.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.