Even after LaPorta’s back surgery, it seems like a long shot. LaPorta is a young star establishing himself in the Motor City. But the Lions have other young stars in Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch with whom the organization believes it will want to close long-term extensions.
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Could that mean LaPorta is the odd one out?
When looking at a player every AFC team should trade for during the 2026 NFL draft, Fox suggests the Kansas City Chiefs should trade for LaPorta from the Lions.
In their proposed trade, the Lions would swap first-round picks with the Chiefs, moving from No. 17 to No. 9. The Chiefs would also send a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick.
Yes, the Chiefs just re-signed Travis Kelce, who remains an effective player and one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite receivers. But Kelce is 36 years old, not as old as he once was, and could be in the final season of his Hall of Fame career. LaPorta is coming off back surgery, is approaching the final year of his contract and could be out of Detroit, where the Lions have plenty of young players to sign. It would likely cost the Chiefs a second-round pick. Alternatively, they could consider a package that involves trading first-round candidates. – Ralph Vacchiano, fox
LaPorta’s 2023 season earned him a Pro Bowl and a second-team All-Pro nod as the 6-foot-3, 245-pound tight end had 86 grabs for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Iowa alum’s dominant rookie campaign established him as a young star and a player other franchises also admired.
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After a trio of Super Bowl championships led by Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, would the Kansas City Chiefs consider trading for a young tight end to pair with Mahomes in the second half of Mahomes’ career?
The move would better position the Lions to land one of their top offensive tackles or EDGE targets in the 2026 NFL draft. This is not the first LaPorta trade proposal from the NFL media.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm also proposed a trade with LaPorta that would give the Lions the Commanders’ No. 7 overall pick, a 2027 third-round pick and tight end Bin Sinnott in exchange for Detroit’s No. 17 overall pick and one of their two sixth-round picks (No. 205 overall).
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Fox creates mock Sam LaPorta trade between Detroit Lions and Chiefs