The Detroit Lions and star tight end Sam LaPorta have reportedly ended contract extension talks. So, barring a surprising turn of events, the Lions will have to franchise-tag him, convince him to sign a new deal, or let him walk in free agency.
LaPorta has been one of the most reliable playmaking tight ends in the league for years now. Expectations were high as new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing helped Trey McBride become a star in Arizona, but it looks like the franchise and its player aren't on the same page.
Considering that, and given that they have a surplus of weapons for the passing game and a big shortage of help on defense, maybe LaPorta can be the trade chip they need. They should try to get some defensive reinforcements or use the draft capital they might get to find one.
Lions could solve their defensive woes with a Sam LaPorta trade
Through the first four weeks of the season, the Lions rank dead last in defensive EPA per drive, success rate, explosive play rate, and rushing success rate. They're also last in scoring defense, total yards allowed per game, and passing yards allowed per game.
Conversely, the Lions have five pass-catchers with at least 180 receiving yards, including Jahmyr Gibbs (187) and the aforementioned LaPorta (228). He also has two receiving touchdowns and is tied for the second-most receptions on the team (22), so it's not like he's not needed.
Nevertheless, even though Brock Wright and Jackson Meeks can't give this team the same type of offensive production, the passing game should be just fine with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa.
With multiple teams potentially interested in a modern pass-catching tight end, the Lions could probably fetch a decent return. They could look for a couple of defensive depth players, a starting-caliber cornerback, or maybe acquire draft capital and flip those picks to another team to get help on defense.
Losing LaPorta would obviously be painful, especially considering that they can still keep him around with the franchise tag. Nevertheless, their defensive crisis has reached alarming levels, and they must make desperate moves if they don't want this to be another wasted season.
As much as the Lions want to play it down and act as if the sky isn't falling, they have the absolute worst pass defense in football, and that won't cut it in the playoffs— they may not even get that far. It will be a tough move, but trading LaPorta for defensive help might be a necessary evil.
Add us as a preferred source on Google