Longtime wide receiver Jordan Matthews is set to audition for teams this weekend as a tight end (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Matthews seems serious about the move, having added more than 15 pounds to his frame in recent months.
Matthews teased his plans earlier this summer and began working out with tight ends including George Kittle and Robert Tonyan. He even switched representation, signing with Steve Caric, the agent for notable TEs like Zach Ertz, Austin Hooper and Devin Asiasi.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Matthews always had the height to play tight end. Now tipping the scales at somewhere above 230 pounds, he has the bulk, too. We’ve already seen one former wideout switch to tight end this offseason — Kelvin Benjamin has joined the Giants and old pal Dave Gettleman as a TE. Of course, there’s also former quarterback Tim Tebow, who is attempting a switch to TE with the Jaguars.
Matthews, a former second-round pick, had at least 800 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. He hasn’t matched that production over the past few years though. Since 2017, Matthews has hauled in just 49 receptions for 615 yards and three scores. He saw time in the 49ers’ final two games of the 2020 season, appearing on 14 offensive snaps without recording a catch.
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