Sam LaPorta’s path back to the top of the tight end conversation may be lining up at just the right time for the Lions.
Detroit’s offense is still expected to put up points under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, but the difference LaPorta makes was hard to miss after his season-ending back injury. Before he went down, Jared Goff was humming along with a 74% completion rate and a 117.7 passer rating. After LaPorta’s injury, those numbers fell to 62.6% and 94.6, and eight of Goff’s 13 turnovers came in that stretch.
That slump wasn’t only about losing LaPorta, but it’s fair to say the quarterback would have been in a better spot with him on the field. With LaPorta trending toward a Week 1 return and a new play-caller taking over, the comeback buzz is already starting to build.
CBS Sports writer Josh Edwards isn’t handing out awards, but he did include LaPorta among ten veterans he expects to bounce back in 2026. The list also features Minnesota Vikings QB Kyler Murray, former Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, and former Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil with the Washington Commanders.
Edwards pointed out that LaPorta’s yards and touchdowns have dipped as his career has gone on, while also noting that Detroit’s offense took a step back overall as it adjusted to life after Ben Johnson.
What gives Edwards confidence in LaPorta is the man now running the show. As he put it, "Petzing's own offense with the (Arizona) Cardinals and roots dating to Cleveland suggest the tight end will be heavily utilized in the pass game. "
That idea fits with what Petzing has already done at the position. In Arizona, Trey McBride made the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons and earned First-Team All-Pro honors last season.
McBride finished second among all pass-catchers with 126 receptions, more than any season in either Amon-Ra St. Brown’s or Calvin Johnson’s careers.
If LaPorta is healthy, he should be a major part of Petzing’s offense in 2026. He may not reach 126 catches, especially with Goff working with more receiving options than Jacoby Brissett had in Arizona last season, but the setup is good enough to push LaPorta back into All-Pro talk.
Edwards also mentioned defensive tackle Alim McNeill as another possible candidate for the list. He didn’t add McNeill because of the limited number of spots, but he did note that McNeill is working back from his own injuries and feels like he’s back to his old self after a difficult 2025. If that holds, Edwards believes McNeill "could play a vital role in the Lions re-establishing themselves as a contender in the NFC."
If both LaPorta and McNeill rebound in 2026, that would be a major boost for Detroit. An elite-level contributor on each side of the ball, paired with a fourth-place schedule, would put the Lions in strong position to chase more than just the NFC North.
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Sam LaPorta Just Put Lions Fans In A Tough Spot
Sam LaPortas name still carries plenty of weight around the league, even after a season that ended far earlier than anyone in Detroit wanted. In ESPNs recent survey of executives, coaches and scouts, the Lions tight end was ranked No. 4 among NFL tight ends, a reminder that his impact has stretched well beyond the box score and into the way opponents have to account for him.
What makes that placement especially notable is how efficient LaPorta was when he was on the field in 2025. His yards after the catch and catch rate were among the best at the position, which only adds to the frustration of seeing his year cut short. Dan Campbell said LaPortas rehab is moving in the right direction and that he should be available for training camp, which gives Detroit a reason to feel better even as the bigger question lingers. [Read more 🡒]