The Detroit Lions entered the 2026 NFL Draft with some evident needs. They were mostly set on offense, but they desperately needed a tackle to make up for Taylor Decker's departure. Other than that, they had to add more firepower to their defense.
Even so, there were some rumors about whether they'd take another tight end, knowing that Sam LaPorta was coming off a major back injury. That wasn't the case, and there's no doubt that they want to keep their tight end around for the long run.
Sam LaPorta Is About to Get Paid by the Lions
Before his injury, extending LaPorta was a no-brainer for the Lions. However, back injuries are delicate, so there were legitimate reasons to be concerned or at least consider pumping the brakes and looking for alternatives. Clearly, that wasn't the case.
Instead, LaPorta might be in for the best year of his career yet. New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing used Trey McBride in a variety of ways with the Arizona Cardinals, to the point where he became arguably the most dangerous player at the position in the entire league.
McBride is slightly more talented than LaPorta, but he's also a YAC specialist who can be a perennial threat in the open field. The table is set for a breakout year, and if he's healthy, he's going to pay back that impending contract extension in almost no time.
There are always risks associated with extending players coming off major injuries, but LaPorta has done and said all the right things ever since he joined the organization. The consistency between seasons hasn't always been there, but he's got the potential to top 1,000 receiving yards and haul in double digits in touchdowns every year, even in such a stacked team.
The Lions' decision to move on from offensive coordinator John Morton was an easy one. The team regressed from its Ben Johnson days, and letting him go shows that they believe they should've fared much better with that personnel and skill players.
As such, it's not much of a surprise to hear that they went heavily on defense after taking OT Blake Miller in the first round. That should shut down all doubts about LaPorta and his future with the organization. If anything, it's not a matter or when and not if he'll set a new mark as the highest-paid tight end in the history of the National Football League. Especially if he returns to the field and plays like his normal self.
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