Could The Detroit Lions Really Trade Sam LaPorta?

Trade rumors are a constant force in the NFL. They can drive slow new cycles. Fans love to daydream about and debate the possibility of their team making a big trade. Lately, one name that has been showing up in the trade rumor mill is Lions’ TE Sam LaPorta. If available, LaPorta would certainly garner a ton of interest around the league. However, the Lions are a Super Bowl-caliber team with high hopes and expectations heading into 2026. LaPorta figures to be a big part of any success Detroit finds this year. Which begs the question, could the Detroit Lions really trade Sam LaPorta?

Where Have The LaPorta Rumors Come From?

You know the saying “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” There sure has been a lot of smoke around a possible LaPorta trade recently. But why? The Lions’ organization hasn’t been shopping him. Neither Brad Holmes nor Dan Campbell has made any public comments indicating a desire to make a deal. LaPorta hasn’t made any trade requests or shown any frustration with the team. It’s the polar opposite of the David Montgomery saga, which, of course, ended with D-Mo being shipped off to Houston.

So, where have the LaPorta rumors come from?

ESPN And NFL.com Articles

Anytime a major publication mentions the possibility of a player being dealt, it becomes a hot take. It really doesn’t matter if there is any factual basis for the rumor. Even if it is just pure speculation or a reporter simply musing, the rumor gains steam. In LaPorta’s case, there have been two such instances.

ESPN released a piece ranking 15 top trade candidates this offseason. LaPorta ranked 8th on this list. The reasons given for Detroit possibly being willing to deal LaPorta are reasonable. They include the upcoming extensions for Brad Holmes’ star-studded 2023 draft class, LaPorta coming off of back surgery, and the fact that LaPorta hasn’t been as productive as he was as a rookie in 2023. Those are all valid points. However, the article lists the probability of a trade at only 10%. Even so, the rumor now had wings.

Fast forward to an NFL.com article from March 30. Writer Eric Edholm not only mentioned the possibility of LaPorta being traded, but he also suggested a specific deal. His trade saw the Washington Commanders receive LaPorta and picks 17 and 205 in this year’s draft. The Lions would get the 7th overall pick in 2026, a 2027 third-rounder, and TE Ben Sinnott.

Again, the justifications for the trade made sense. Edholm mentioned the recent contract extensions for fellow TEs Trey McBride and George Kittle. He fairly wondered if Detroit could meet those salaries on a potential new deal for LaPorta. Even though Edholm stated that he doesn’t believe a trade will happen, the possibility was once again thrust into the limelight.

The Kansas City Chiefs have also been rumored to have interest, as they prepare for an eventual world without Travis Kelce.

Will The Lions Really Trade LaPorta?

I suppose anything is possible. With the draft rapidly approaching, I expect several deals to happen in the near future. Teams will fall in love with a prospect and trade away a player to draft him. Others could have an irresistible player unexpectedly drop into their lap, making an incumbent player expendable. There may be teams that miss out on their top draft targets and are willing to overpay for a veteran in a trade. The Lions could find themselves in any of these scenarios.

Ultimately, no, I do not think the Lions will trade LaPorta. 

I honestly believe Brad Holmes intends to reach deals with all four stars of his 2023 draft class. Time will tell whether or not that is realistic. I think Holmes envisions Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Brian Branch, and LaPorta staying in Detroit long-term. 

Detroit is in a much different situation now than it was when Holmes traded T.J. Hockenson in 2022. The Lions were rebuilding, and extending Hockenson would not have been the best use of resources. The Lions are facing enormous pressure to succeed in 2026. Trading LaPorta makes the team worse. Coming off a serious injury, LaPorta’s trade value is probably at an all-time low. Any team acquiring him must be comfortable with his recovery and be willing to sign him to a contract extension that may exceed $20 million/year. 

I fully expect Sam LaPorta to remain a Detroit Lion in 2026 and beyond.