# Two tight end deals just set Sam LaPorta's price

> Green Bay and Las Vegas paid their tight ends on the same Saturday, and Detroit now has a number to work from.
- Title: Two tight end deals just set Sam LaPorta's price | Shortify
- Summary: Green Bay and Las Vegas paid their tight ends on the same Saturday, and Detroit now has a number to work from. LaPorta has outproduced both tight ends who…
- Keywords: nfl, detroit lions, sam laporta, contract extension, tight ends, sports, Two, tight, end, deals, just, set
- Source: Detroit Lions On SI — https://si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/what-two-recent-contract-extensions-mean-lions-sam-laporta
- Published: 2026-09-12T15:35:51+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nfl, detroit lions, sam laporta, contract extension, tight ends, sports
## 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.
## Key takeaway

LaPorta has outproduced both tight ends who just got paid, so his extension should land around $20 million a year and reset the position.