Broncos, Panthers Among Potential Sam LaPorta Suitors

Predictably, the NFL’s trade rumor mill has already begun to consider potential destinations for LaPorta. A strong year from the tight end position is somewhat dimming his accomplishments, but the 2023 second-round pick is putting up career-highs of 5.4 receptions and 63.2 yards per game. Those currently rank seventh and fifth at his position, respectively, making him a sizable upgrade for a tight end-needy offense.

The Broncos and the Panthers could be among LaPorta’s suitors, according to NFL Blue Book’s Charles Robinson. Both teams have playoff aspirations and could use additional support for their young quarterbacks, but neither has a tight end with more than 15 receptions or 150 yards.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton has been searching for better tight end play since arriving in Denver in 2023, Robinson adds. The team signed Evan Engam to a two-year, $23MM in free agency last year, but he disappointed with just 50 catches, 462 yards, and one touchdown during his debut season. He is off to an even worse start this year – just 12 catches for 134 yards and a score – and seems exceedingly unlikely to be re-signed in the offseason.

The Broncos do not have a successor for Engam on the roster, so they already know they will be in the market for a new tight end this offseason. General manager George Paton could get a head start on his to-do list and trade for LaPorta as an instant upgrade over Engram who could be locked down long-term with an extension. Having a reliable safety blanket at tight end could also help Bo Nix bounce back from his early-season struggles.

The Panthers are in a similar situation. They have used Day 3 picks on tight ends in recent drafts, but neither 2024 fourth-rounder Ja’Tavion Sanders or 2025 fifth-rounder Mitchell Evans profiles as a high-end starter. Carolina has been “poking around” for ways to upgrade Bryce Young’s supporting caste, per Robinson, and could consider calling Lions general manager Brad Holmes about LaPorta.

There are two main factors at play in a potential LaPorta trade. The first is Detroit’s willingness to move off their star tight end. The team is off to a 3-2 to start that still places them in the cellar of a competitive NFC North and still have playoff ambitions. Losing LaPorta would be a significant blow to a top-five offense with a steep drop-off to backup Brock Wright.

Holmes would likely set a high asking price in initial trade talks, potentially as high as the pair of Day 2 picks he received for T.J. Hockenson in 2022. (The Lions sent fourth- and fifth-round picks back to the Vikings in the deal.) Detroit was 1-6 at the time and in the middle of their long-term rebuild, a stark contrast to their current state.

LaPorta’s interest in a trade is also relevant. He may be holding out hope of staying in Detroit; he could also be open to a move in order to get paid as soon as possible. The major question is if he would demand an extension as part of a trade or be willing to delay negotiations until after the season, like the Cowboys and Joey Porter Jr.

When asked about LaPorta on Thursday, Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzig insisted (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press) that he has not noticed any changes in his star tight end despite his contract frustrations. He praised LaPorta’s complete skill set and how it stresses a defense, another indicator of his key role within Detroit’s offense.

Teams may have concerns about LaPorta’s injury history, but when healthy, he is undoubtedly one of the best tight ends in the game. He has shown consistent improvement throughout his career, particularly by reducing the drops that plagued him as a rookie and learning how to operate out of the slot. His extension make him one of the highest-paid – though likely not the highest – players at his position.