June 1 used to be a fairly sleep day on the NFL calendar. We knew one big trade was inevitable to happen on that day this year, but it was the second deal that turned heads and put the rest of the league on collective notice.
The Los Angeles Rams gave up three draft picks and young edge rusher Jared Verse to get reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. For the Detroit Lions, their window to win a Super Bowl has been impacted and perhaps narrowed irretrievably.
Beyond that, the Rams finding a way to make all-in-style moves seemingly every offseason has invited some renewed questions about general manager Brad Holmes' approach.
Jim Costa of 97.1 The Ticket said it best this week. Holmes wasn't making a move like trading for Garrett before paying the players that have been drafted and developed, and he won't do it now because those guys have been paid. The business of notable contract extensions is set to dry up soon though, so that won't stand as an excuse much longer.
Hypothetical trade offer might be hard for Brad Holmes to turn down
After the blockbuster Garrett trade turned the NFL on its collective head, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has offered five hypothetical trades that would compare to it if they happened. One of them involved the Lions, but not acquiring someone. Instead, they give up someone.
"Detroit Lions receive: 2027 first-and third-round draft picks"
"Kansas City Chiefs receive: TE Sam LaPorta"
"Sam LaPorta may have lit the league on fire during a scintillating 86-catch, 889-yard, 10-touchdown rookie season a mere three years ago, but even he isn't safe from being traded."
"LaPorta is gearing up for the final year of his rookie deal, one set to pay him a modest $5.8 million in 2026. Despite his immense contributions when healthy, the Lions have yet to reach a long-term extension with the tight end."
Kay noted the general questions about LaPorta's health after a severe-sounding back issue shortened his 2025 campaign. But by all accounts he's progressing as expected after surgery, and it won't be factor in contract negotiations and we know how LaPorta's absence impacted the Lions' offense last season.
"Although the Lions would be taking a hit in 2026 without LaPorta, they could be well-positioned for future stability by dealing the 25-year-old for a package of premium draft picks. If Detroit's brass isn't sold on his LaPorta's health, it's a tough but shrewd move to make."
"The Kansas City Chiefs make sense as a trade partner for the Lions. LaPorta would immediately slot in as Travis Kelce's much-needed heir, working alongside the aging tight end in 2026 and taking over as one of the primary receiving threats in Kansas City's dynamic offense once the future Hall of Famer hangs up his cleats."
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While it's not a big deal that the Lions and LaPorta haven't agreed to a long-term extension yet, there is also a level of urgency that can't be (and certainly isn't being) ignored.
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" last month, after news of Jack Campbell's extension, ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned LaPorta alongside Jahmyr Gibbs as players the the Lions want to get deals done with.
So trading LaPorta does not seem to be anywhere on the radar, and it's hard to that changing.
But if the Chiefs are sufficiently motivated to secure a high-end successor to Travis Kelce that they'd give up first and third-round picks for LaPorta, that might be hard for Holmes to turn down if contract negotiations don't proceed as expected.
Are the Lions actively looking to trade LaPorta? It's safe to say no, and it would take an offer like this hypothetical one from the Chiefs to move that chance above zero percent. If it can be moved above zero percent, that is.
But we should never say never when it comes to what could happen in the NFL, as the Rams acquiring Garrett has proven again. So LaPorta is not entirely un-tradeable, even if feels like he is as part of Holmes' plans to keep core players around long-term.
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