The 2026 offseason has been filled with massive extensions across the league, with the latest being Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford receiving a hefty payday for one more year.
Not long before that announcement, however, the Lions awarded linebacker Jack Campbell a four-year, $81 million deal with $51.1 million guaranteed, and that prompted a major trade idea the Patriots need to get in on.
The Lions are in a situation where they need to pay several players but do not have the cap space to do so. Now that Campbell is under contract for four more years, they also need to extend running back Jahmyr Gibbs, cornerback Brian Branch, and tight end Sam LaPorta.
Because of that, rumors have been flying about who the team will ultimately sacrifice and likely trade, with LaPorta appearing to be the favorite. And for that reason, the Patriots need to get on the phone and inquire about a trade, which might be more affordable than you might think.
A perfect tight end just became available for the Patriots to trade for
With Hunter Henry set to play on the final year of his current contract and there have been no reports about the Patriots' desire to extend him just yet, they'll need a reliable successor to take over the tight end room, particularly since rookie Eli Raridon has a lot of questions surrounding him before his first NFL season.
Other than Henry, Julian Hill has the most experience on the roster, but he was brought in to primarily block on the offensive line. So the Patriots will look to replace the production Henry has consistently provided on offense over the last five years, and that's where LaPorta comes in.
At just 25 years old, the 2023 second-round draft pick has become a big deal in Detroit and one of the rising stars at the position in the league.
He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie after a season recording 86 receptions for 889 yards and ten touchdowns, and although his performance has dipped since then, he is still a legitimate threat on the field that Drake Maye would benefit from having on the roster.
It shouldn't be too expensive to get him in the door either, especially since the Lions are presumably going to want the best they can get in return rather than watching him leave in free agency for nothing.
At this point, most analysts predict he could go for, at best, a third-round pick and maybe a player, too, presumably on defense. Depending on the position, the Patriots might have the perfect guy to send, or, at the very least, add in another draft pick instead to sweeten the deal.
Adding LaPorta to the room will ensure the group stays afloat in Henry's absence, assuming he's not back for the 2027 season, while adding the experience the roster currently lacks. He would easily slide into the veteran's role and become Maye's next favorite weapon, which is exactly what the offense needs.
It seems like a no-brainer move for the Patriots, and the Lions would be foolish not to get it done if the right offer is made. So it would be wise for Eliot Wolf to get on the phone sooner rather than later, even if a trade doesn't happen until closer to the deadline this fall.
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