The Detroit Lions have already passed their biggest financial hurdle of the 2026 offseason, electing to pick up the fifth-year option for Jahmyr Gibbs and decline it for Jack Campbell. But for general manager Brad Holmes, there's no time to rest.
Tight end Sam LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie contract. While his last two seasons have been a bit rocky, he's likely a player Detroit will want to keep around. They'll have to make quick work of extending him, though.
Multiple other tight ends are set to earn new contracts in the coming months. If the Lions aren't the first team to secure a deal, the price for LaPorta could go up.
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Despite not having a tight end drafted in the top 25 picks, the 2023 draft class was quietly strong at the position. It produced players like LaPorta, Tucker Kraft, Dalton Kincaid, and Brenton Strange. Now, most of those tight ends are negotiating contract extensions with their teams. Unfortunately for the Lions, LaPorta could be the most expensive of the bunch.
Spotrac currently estimates that LaPorta's market value will be around $17 million per year. That would make him the third-highest-paid tight end in the league on an annual basis, behind only George Kittle and Trey McBride. That's right around what our own Joshua Quiepo expects.
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But even that number could continue to shoot up if the Lions wait too long to make a deal. If the Green Bay Packers extend Kraft quickly, Detroit might be forced to offer its own tight end a higher number. The two fourth-year stars are expected to make around the same amount on their next deals. Whoever signs last will likely become the richer of the pair. This could quickly become a game of chicken between the NFC North rivals.
It's not just players from the 2023 draft class whom the Lions need to consider. The Atlanta Falcons already used the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts, and they could sign him to an extension at any moment. If he performs at a high level again in 2026, his next deal could reset the tight end market.
The Lions would be wise to get LaPorta's new deal wrapped up before the start of the upcoming season. If they don't, his price tag could quickly get out of control.
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