Coming off a problematic back injury that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign, could Detroit Lions’ star tight end Sam LaPorta potentially be on the trading block during the 2026 season?
Entering the final year of his current four-year rookie deal, the 2023 second-rounder (No. 34 overall) from Iowa has amassed 186 receptions for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns, including 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 scores during his breakout rookie campaign in 2023.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Ben Solak, the former Hawkeye is among ESPN’s top-15 offseason trade candidates, with LaPorta ranking No. 8 on their list.
In their explanation, Graziano and Solak cited the Lions’ desire to extend LaPorta’s fellow 2023 draftees and the star’s back injury as the primary reasons for his inclusion. However, Graziano did mention that the odds of LaPorta being traded are minuscule, considering the franchise’s intent to be competitive now.
The Lions have four 2023 draft picks they want to extend — LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch — and there are people around the league who wonder whether they’ll be able to get all of those deals done or if they’d have to trade someone. Even if the Lions can’t extend LaPorta, I think the odds of them trading him are extremely thin, as Detroit still sees itself in a win-now window. – Graziano, ESPN
Meanwhile, Solak did not necessarily rule out a trade involving LaPorta, given his reputation as one of the league’s top younger tight ends and the potential draw for other teams willing to send draft capital for the fourth-year star.
LaPorta had back surgery this past season (489 receiving yards, three touchdowns) and hasn’t looked as explosive as he did as a rookie (889 yards, 10 scores in 2023), but he remains one of the most exciting young receivers at the position. Teams looking for a high-volume receiving tight end might be willing to spend a draft pick now on LaPorta, instead of risking a bidding war in free agency in 2027 should he come back to form. – Solak, ESPN
Collectively, the two labeled the possibility of LaPorta being traded at 10%, with the three potential trade partners being the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans.
While the Lions navigate through the offseason, LaPorta’s name could be one to keep an eye on, even if it may not seem logical at the current moment.
