The Detroit Lions have a big problem in their hands right now. Sam LaPorta is a star and one of the best pass-catching tight ends in football, but he's not happy with his current situation with the organization.
LaPorta has already said he wouldn't mind playing for another team if the Lions don't want to pay him. If that's not a cry for help and attention... Then he was barely involved in the offense in the next game, and that doesn't seem coincidental.
While LaPorta doesn't have the power to force his way out of Detroit, and the Lions can franchise-tag him, this trade season has already gotten off to a crazy start. It's unlikely, but there's also a scenario where the Lions move him before November 10.
Lions can get a solid return for Sam LaPorta before the deadline
The fact that LaPorta voiced these concerns in October speaks volumes about how poorly the conversations have gone. He's not happy, and guys in his position often threaten to hold out if franchise-tagged. There's still a long way to go to the offseason, but there's a precedent.
With guys like Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, and Jeffery Simmons switching teams in the past couple of days, multiple teams will try to respond by making all-in moves of their own, even if that means overpaying.
So, what if a desperate team comes knocking with a Godfather-like offer for the Lions' playmaking tight end? Will they hold tight to him in the hope that they can lowball him into taking another deal or agree to play under the franchise tag?
The Lions still have some deficiencies on defense, and they could address them by using whatever they get in return for LaPorta's services. Maybe they can even swap him with a starting-caliber edge rusher or cornerback.
Of course, this isn't to say that the Lions should trade LaPorta or that they definitely will. Maybe that thought hasn't crossed their mind, and perhaps they've already made him untouchable, regardless of the offer they might get.
What we're saying is that this trade season has already seen some big names switch teams. The Lions aren't sellers; if anything, they should be buyers. But LaPorta isn't happy with his situation, and with everybody in the league trying to make a splash, it feels like all bets are off and anything can happen at this point.
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