The Detroit Lions are staring down a future where they might have to do something they almost never do: slap the franchise tag on a player. And the guy who could break their long-standing tradition? None other than tight end Sam LaPorta. Seriously, a franchise tag is a huge deal, and a salary cap analyst just tossed his name right into the mix for 2027.
A Lions Tradition on the Chopping Block?
Get this, the Lions have used the NFL's franchise tag only five times in their entire team history, going all the way back to when it was first introduced in 1993. The last dude to get it was Ezekiel Ansah, way back in 2018. That's a serious drought! But Joel Corry, a former NFL agent and now a salary cap analyst, just published a post listing 2027 franchise tag candidates, and LaPorta's name is on it. For anyone needing a quick refresher, the franchise tag is basically a team's option to lock down a player who's heading for free agency. It's a one-year tender, worth the average of the five highest salaries at that player's position. The player then has a few choices: they can keep negotiating for a long-term deal, try to negotiate with other teams (unless it's an exclusive tag), or just sign the tender and play out that one year. Corry did admit that this current Lions regime is usually super proactive, wanting to avoid these tag situations altogether. He wrote, “The Lions are among the NFL’s most proactive teams at locking up core players before the expiration of rookie contracts. This philosophy could work to LaPorta’s advantage.” But even with that, the possibility is on the table, and that's wild.The Tight End Market, Salary Cap Squeeze, and a Looming Injury
Lions General Manager Brad Holmes has been open about wanting to sign extensions for his first four picks from the 2023 NFL Draft: Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, LaPorta, and Brian Branch. He even said at the NFL Combine, “Those are all players that we feel are core players that we want to keep around. They’re part of our foundation.” So far, only Jack Campbell has gotten his new deal. Here's where it gets sticky. Detroit's salary cap situation is tightening up, making it tough to balance the budget, even for core players. On top of that, LaPorta’s back injury could seriously complicate the team's willingness to commit huge long-term money to the Pro Bowl tight end. We've seen the tight end market explode this offseason, with Kyle Pitts getting a three-year, $53 million extension from the Falcons. But let's be real, George Kittle still owns the top spot by average per year with a four-year, $76.4 million deal he signed in 2025, clocking in at $19.1 million annually. That's a serious benchmark. This isn't just about LaPorta, it's about the blueprint for Detroit's future core. Will they find a way to lock him up long-term before it gets to a tag? Or will the tightening cap and injury concerns force them to make a move they haven't made in years? The front office is already deep in these discussions, and every move matters as they build for what's next.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.