3 potential options for the Detroit Lions to replace Sam LaPorta

2. Kyle Rudolph

Let's get a little crazy here.

Rudolph retired in September after 12 NFL seasons, most of which and the best of which were spent with the Minnesota Vikings. He worked as a game commentator for NBC/Peacock's Big Ten football coverage this season, but that gig is of course now done until the fall. He does co-host a Sunday night show on Fox Sports Radio as well, but if he wanted to suit up for a playoff team maybe he'd be accommodated.

It's easy to assume Rudolph has not fallen completely out of shape since deciding to retire a few months ago. If he would entertain a chance to play again right now, which is at best unclear, it would automatically be with a playoff team and perhaps he'd prefer one that could last a while (or more than one week, anyway). Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth his time/consideration.

Honestly, there's about a .0002 percent chance Rudolph wants to play and that the Lions are even thinking about seeing if he wants to play if/when LaPorta is confirmed out for the Wild Card Round. But a lack of good outside options, due to the time of the year it is more than anything else, requires thinking outside the box here. Rudolph is certainly an outside the box option.