The Detroit Lions are coming off a tricky 2025 season with a 9-8 record, however that is solely made them extra decided than ever to have a comeback season in 2026. A part of getting the Lions again into form for the upcoming run is retaining key gamers whereas including strong rookies, free brokers and gamers in trades.
One of many Lions’ fan favorites is tight finish Sam LaPorta. What number of NFL gamers had been truly blessed by the pope, proper? However, LaPorta’s rookie contract with the workforce solely runs by the 2026 season, and since he is made the Professional Bowl and had such a powerful efficiency with the Lions, he’ll be costly to re-sign.
So, what if the Lions commerce LaPorta? One NFL analyst thinks it might occur.
Lions tight finish might change Travis Kelce in Kansas Metropolis
In a feature from Alex Kay of Bleacher Report, he names 5 hypothetical NFL trades that might examine to the Myles Garrett blockbuster transfer. Right here, he has the Lions sending LaPorta to the Kansas City Chiefs in alternate for 2027 first- and third-round draft picks.
“Though the Lions could be taking successful in 2026 with out LaPorta, they could possibly be well-positioned for future stability by dealing the 25-year-old for a package deal of premium draft picks,” he states within the piece. “If Detroit’s brass is not offered on his well being, it is a powerful however shrewd transfer to make.”
He provides that the Chiefs make sense as a commerce companion as a result of LaPorta “would instantly slot in as Travis Kelce’s much-needed inheritor, working alongside the growing older tight finish in 2026 and taking on as one of many main receiving threats in Kansas Metropolis’s dynamic offense as soon as the longer term Corridor of Famer hangs up his cleats.”
Frankly, a first-round draft decide for LaPorta appears excessive. He is value it if he can keep wholesome, however these trades do not come alongside typically. Both manner, it will be a blow to the Lions to lose him but additionally profit the Chiefs as they search to exchange Kelce.
