The Detroit Lions have locked down their offensive stars, with Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and Amon-Ra St. Brown all on long-term deals. But now it’s Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta’s turn, and things are getting sticky with a potential market-resetting contract on the horizon. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Lions are absolutely interested in extending LaPorta, but there’s one big issue: a new deal might have to wait until the 2026 season officially gets underway. This whole situation is wild, and it’s all tied up in what’s happening with another team’s tight end.
The $20 Million Question Hanging Over Detroit
So, what’s the hold up for the Lions? It’s all about Tucker Kraft’s extension with the Green Bay Packers. That deal is currently “up in the air,” and it’s casting a huge shadow over LaPorta’s situation. Fowler says that if Kraft can snag a deal north of that $20 million per-year threshold, it totally sets the stage for LaPorta. The Packers and Kraft are trying to get their business done before the season even begins, potentially hitting that $20 million mark. But for LaPorta and the Lions, they might be stuck waiting until the regular season kicks off to make a move. It’s a game of high-stakes contract dominoes, and Detroit is on the clock.
LaPorta’s Value and the Looming Franchise Tag
LaPorta is heading into his fourth NFL season as a Pro Bowl tight end, and he’s slated to hit the open market after this year. The Lions absolutely need to get a deal done, or they’ll be forced to slap him with the franchise tag just to keep him. You don’t want to get into that mess if you can avoid it. His numbers speak for themselves, even with an injury last season where he caught 40 passes for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. That was after a monster 2024 where he put up 726 yards and seven touchdowns, and an insane rookie year in 2023 with 889 yards and 10 TDs. LaPorta is a massive part of that offense, and it makes perfect sense that the team wants to secure him long-term.
The Lions are definitely interested in making this deal happen, and it’s reasonable to believe it will eventually get done. The real drama is when. Fowler believes these negotiations could easily drag into the regular season. Will LaPorta be willing to take less than what Kraft gets? Maybe not. If he is, a deal could happen sooner. But if LaPorta is aiming to reset the tight end market with his first extension, then Kraft’s new deal is going to be the benchmark he follows in his own negotiations. So, get ready, because this saga might just be heating up once the 2026 season officially begins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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