Lions TE Sam LaPorta: No. 7 Player Faces Pivotal Contract Year

The Detroit Lions’ tight end Sam LaPorta enters the 2026 season in a pivotal final year of his contract, facing a crucial contract-year situation after missing the luxury of a fifth-year option in the 2023 NFL Draft class. The article notes there have been reports the team aims to reach an agreement with LaPorta, especially as the market has been influenced by other tight ends signing extensions. It frames LaPorta as the Lions’ No. 7 most important player entering 2026, citing his role as a reliable target for quarterback Jared Goff and his consistency over three seasons. After a rookie receiving record in 2023, LaPorta added improved run-blocking, reaching a Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade of 64.9, and his drop rate is 3.6% on 274 targets, including an improved YAC average of 6.8 yards per catch in 2025. The piece also recalls his season-ending herniated disk injury limiting him to nine games in 2025, and that the team had to turn to Brock Wright, who also suffered a season-ending injury.