As the NFL prepares for the start of the 2026 season, teams are still evaluating their rosters to see if their are any last-minute moves they can pull off before the season kicks off. Every year, there always seems to be at least one training camp trade where a team believes they are adding the missing piece.
With that time of the year nearing, the Detroit Lions have been highlighted as a team who could be involved in one of those deals. Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has become a popular trade candidate, with some analysts arguing he could be on the move before the season starts.
While there are definitely reasons why LaPorta makes sense as a trade candidate, the best decision for Detroit is actually holding on to the tight end, because they are still built to contend.
The Lions’ contending hopes should prevent a Sam LaPorta trade
LaPorta is a textbook trade candidate; he’s a good player entering the final season of his contract, and Detroit may not be able to re-sign him. The reason why the Lions may be forced to move on from their talented tight end is that Detroit has several other talented young players who they have to pay a lot of money to.
Just sticking with LaPorta’s draft class, the Lions have already paid linebacker Jack Campbell and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and the franchise will also have to take care of Brian Branch. With all the other veterans Detroit is already paying, it’s very likely that the team could lose LaPorta next offseason.
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That’s why some would argue that it makes sense to get something in return for the tight end before losing him for nothing. There’s one problem with that philosophy: the Lions actually have a chance to be a contender. Holding on to a player is fine if that player gives you a chance to win the Super Bowl.
That’s the case with LaPorta and Detroit, and that’s why the franchise shouldn’t even consider a trade. It doesn’t make sense to voluntarily get worse as a team, when you have a chance to go win the Super Bowl.
The Lions need to hold on to their talented tight end and figure the future out later. If they start the season and are having a nightmare year, the team could consider a move at the mid-season trade deadline. For now, Detroit’s only focus should be fielding the best roster possible.
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