The 49ers sign tight free agent Brock Wright, and the Lions have five days to match.

A tight end may soon be needed by the Detroit Lions.

The San Francisco 49ers extended a three-year, $12 million restricted free agent offer to Lions tight end Brock Wright on Friday.

As a restricted free agent, Wright received an original-round tender from the Lions in the early part of March for $2.985 million. They have five days under the tender to match any contract that Wright signs with another team. They will not be compensated with a draft pick in the event that Wright departs because he was an undrafted free agent.

As a block-first tight end, Wright has played a significant role in the Lions’ running game over the last three seasons. In the previous season, he started four games, caught 13 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, and broke his forearm during the Lions’ playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional round.

Sam LaPorta is returning for the Lions as their top tight end, James Mitchell is the backup, and Shane Zylstra was re-signed this offseason as an exclusive rights free agency. If the team decides not to accept the 49ers’ offer, they will need to find a new blocker for the position.

All-Pro tight end George Kittle is back with the 49ers, who defeated the Lions in the NFC championship game in January. However, backup Charlie Woerner left for the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.

George Kittle, an All-Pro tight end, is back with the 49ers, who won the NFC championship game in January after defeating the Lions. But in free agency, backup Charlie Woerner signed with the Atlanta Falcons.