Projecting what a contract extension could look like for Lions TE Sam LaPorta
Allen Park — Early in Brad Holmes’ tenure, the Detroit Lions general manager hit the reset button at the top of the team’s tight end depth chart.
Understanding T.J. Hockenson was on the cusp of a lucrative extension, the then-struggling Lions instead opted to deal the young star within the division ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, shipping him and a pair of early Day 3 draft picks to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two Day 2 selections.
The next offseason, Hockenson scored a four-year, $66 million contract extension from the Vikings that temporarily made him the highest paid player at the position. The Lions, meanwhile, used a second-round choice to secure his replacement, Iowa’s Sam LaPorta.
The sequence remains one of Holmes’ most-savvy.
Respectfully, the pending Hockenson extension didn’t align with Detroit's rebuild. It’s easy to forget, but the team had limped out to a 1-6 start in Holmes and coach Dan Campbell’s second season, just ahead of the trade. Subsequently, LaPorta went on to exceed his predecessor’s production as a rookie, topping several franchise milestones for his position, including an NFL record 86 receptions for a first-year tight end.
Dealing with an injury coming into his second season, LaPorta wasn’t nearly as productive in Year 2. Still, he averaged more yards per catch, while finishing sixth in receiving yards and tied for fourth with seven touchdowns among tight ends.
LaPorta was back on a record-breaking track last season, pacing for a franchise-best 929 receiving yards, when a back injury prematurely ended his campaign.
Regardless, whatever thought might have been given to the Lions replaying the Hockenson scenario with LaPorta was quickly put to bed by Holmes. The GM has made it clear the team would like to extend LaPorta as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Organizationally, there appears to be minimal concern about the back injury — which was surgically addressed — lingering into the future.
So then, with all the variables considered, what might a new deal look like between the sides?