A rival did Detroit a favor

Two tight end extensions landed on the same Saturday, and both of them help the Lions figure out what Sam LaPorta is worth.

“A division rival of the Detroit Lions may have helped set up their next big move.”

Green Bay pays Tucker Kraft

The Packers gave Kraft a four-year extension worth up to $92 million with a $26.5 million signing bonus, averaging $19.66 million over the first three years.

A new top of the market

That contract makes Kraft the highest-paid tight end in the league by total value, passing George Kittle's four-year, $76 million deal.

“This deal will make Kraft the NFL's highest-paid tight end”

Vegas follows with Mayer

The Raiders gave Michael Mayer three years and $45 million, with $30 million guaranteed, not long after the Kraft news broke.

Same draft class, same clock

Kraft, Mayer and LaPorta all came out of the 2023 draft, and Kyle Pitts already got his extension earlier this offseason. The comparisons write themselves.

Detroit has been slower

The Lions already extended classmates Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell. LaPorta is the one still waiting, which makes him the obvious next name.

He has outplayed both

LaPorta beats Kraft and Mayer in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. That case could push his deal to $20 million a year and reset the market again.

“LaPorta's deal could reach $20 million in average annual value and reset the market”

The numbers behind the case

Three seasons in, the Iowa product has 186 catches, 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus the NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end.

The back injury cost him time

A herniated disk ended his 2025 season early and limited his offseason work, which likely explains why talks stalled. He was healthy for most of camp.

Detroit can wait, and often does

Restructures for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell freed up cap space, but LaPorta's money is a future-years problem. Jameson Williams signed on the eve of last season.