Why didn’t Devin Funchess work out with the Carolina Panthers?

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, the Detroit Lions announced that they have signed Devin Funchess to their roster. While most mid-June signings are minor blips on the NFL radar, this story is interesting for several reasons. First, Funchess is a former Carolina Panthers second-round pick who once had eight touchdowns in a season. Secondly, Funchess is a Michigan native and former Wolverine. Then there’s the fact that the Lions listed him as a tight end—a position he hasn’t played since his college years.

As our own Mike Payton noted earlier on Wednesday, Funchess will by no means be handed a roster spot. He’s going to have to earn it, and he’ll be entering Detroit’s tight end…