Zylstra is a 29-year-old tight end who spent five seasons with the Detroit Lions after going undrafted out of Minnesota State in 2021, appearing in 35 games and recording 18 catches for 136 yards with four touchdowns across his career.
Bills signed former Lions TE Shane Zylstra to a one-year contract and released K Maddux Trujillo.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2026
His brother Brandon played for Bills coach Joe Brady during their time together in Carolina, giving the connection to Buffalo some personal history behind it.
The signing arrived the same day fourth-round receiver Skyler Bell and fourth-round linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr both signed their four-year rookie contracts.
What Zylstra Brings
Zylstra's primary value to Buffalo is on special teams, where he played a career-high 49 percent of the Lions' snaps in 2024, making him one of the more reliable coverage unit contributors on Detroit's roster that season.
At 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, he has the size to play inline or flex into the slot and his four-touchdown 2022 season represents a modest but viable receiving ceiling if opportunities come his way.
Signed TE Shane Zylstra to a one year contract and released K Maddux Trujillo. pic.twitter.com/9OfghrH6mT
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) May 12, 2026
He joins Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and second-year tight end Keleki Latu in a tight end room that does not need a starter but will benefit from an experienced depth piece who can contribute without needing a lot of offensive snaps to justify his roster spot.
His path to the 53-man roster runs almost entirely through what he shows on special teams in the preseason.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
