Ziegler-natta catalyst compositions for producing polyethylenes with a high molecular weight tail and methods of making the same

Methods of preparing a polymerization catalyst component is provided, in which a magnesium component, a Lewis acid solubilizing component, a titanium compound, optionally a transition metal compound different than the titanium compound, and typically an inert filler are combined in a slurrying agent and spray-dried to produce a catalyst precursor in the form of a substantially spherical and porous solid particle. The methods and catalysts of this disclosure can provide ethylene homopolymer and copolymer resins having a high molecular weight tail and a broadened molecular weight distribution as compared to more traditional Ziegler-Natta catalysts.