ESPN’s bold predictions for the 2026 NFL season zeroed in on a key figure in the Detroit Lions‘ organization.
While some think a long-term contract extension could still get ironed out with Lions tight end Sam LaPorta before next season starts, ESPN’s Ben Solak predicts that LaPorta will get traded to the Carolina Panthers instead.
The Lions have been busy inking its stars to long-term deals over the past two years. The organization inked receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and franchise quarterback Jared Goff to extensions in 2024.Then, beginning with safety Kerby Joseph in April of 2025, the Lions locked in long-term deals with wide receiver Jameson Williams, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and just inked linebacker Jack Campbell to a contract extension.
But, with extensions still to be done with safety Brian Branch, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and LaPorta, it’s fair to wonder if there’s an odd man out.
Here’s some of Solak’s thoughts:
Every time I look at the Lions’ roster and cap sheet, I come away thinking they should trade LaPorta.
The Lions have three big potential extensions coming down the mountain: Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch and LaPorta. Those three, along with the already-extended Jack Campbell, are the team’s first four picks of the 2023 draft class that jump-started this era of Lions football. All are deserving of big, fat deals.
But it’s hard to carry that many market-setting second contracts and remain flexible for future free agent signings or trade acquisitions. Detroit already carries sizable second contracts at five of the highest-paid positions: QB (Jared Goff), WR (Amon-Ra St. Brown), edge rusher (Aidan Hutchinson) and OT (Penei Sewell). Kerby Joseph is the third-highest paid safety to boot!
Of course, the cap is ballooning at unprecedented rates. With aggressive backloading and early extensions, the Lions could fit all three of Gibbs, Branch and LaPorta on their books. Because they don’t need to trade anyone, they can be picky in which deals they listen to for which players. Gibbs is practically untouchable and will likely be extended before either LaPorta or Branch. But both of the latter two should be acquirable…
That leaves us with LaPorta. His rookie season was eye-popping: 86 catches, 889 yards, 10 TDs. But as Jameson Williams has developed into Detroit’s WR2, LaPorta has lost some volume. His 25% target per route as a rookie fell to 19.7% over the past two seasons, barely above Williams’ 18.4%. However, Williams has LaPorta unsurprisingly beat in yards per target, yards per route and explosive receptions per target. A Williams target is simply more valuable than a LaPorta target.
LaPorta is still quite explosive for a tight end and a safety valve for Goff, who seemingly gets frustrated with Williams’ erraticism at times. But when building a list of “who we want to get the ball to” in Detroit, LaPorta is a clear fourth behind St. Brown, Williams and Gibbs — all of whom will be on big contracts once Gibbs signs an extension. Do the Lions want their fourth option to be making over $15 million per year? And especially when LaPorta isn’t an impactful blocker, often hidden from that role by St. Brown and Isaac TeSlaa?
Obviously, it’s tough to pay everybody, and Solak makes some fair points. But, a target like LaPorta opens up a lot of opportunity for Williams and the rest of the Lions’ pass-catchers.
There’s also the LaPorta back injury. LaPorta suffered a herniated disc last year and underwent season-ending surgery. It was his first major injury.
The Lions said in minicamp that LaPorta is “trending the right way” for training camp, but does that enter some of the thinking, too?
Again, there’s others that feel LaPorta is in the Lions’ long-term plans. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said recently that a deal could happen this offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter told “The Pat McAfee Show” in May that the Lions still wanted to get a deal done with LaPorta.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN bold NFL predictions include Detroit Lions trade candidate
