As sad as it is to think about, Travis Kelce is nearing the end of his decorated NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. While Kelce is returning for a 14th season, the consensus seems to be that this will be it for the long-time Chiefs tight end.
What is the Chiefs' plan for life after Kelce? Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has a bold trade idea that could give Kansas City its next big thing at tight end. Kay had the Chiefs sending a first and third-round pick in next year's draft to the Detroit Lions in exchange for tight end Sam LaPorta.
"Sam LaPorta may have lit the league on fire during a scintillating 86-catch, 889-yard, 10-touchdown rookie season a mere three years ago, but even he isn't safe from being traded.
"LaPorta is gearing up for the final year of his rookie deal, one set to pay him a modest $5.8 million in 2026. Despite his immense contributions when healthy, the Lions have yet to reach a long-term extension with the tight end.
"The biggest issue surrounding LaPorta right now is health. Although he appeared in every game during his breakout rookie season and only missed one game during his somewhat underwhelming sophomore outing, LaPorta was sidelined for nearly half of 2025 with a back injury."
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"The Kansas City Chiefs make sense as a trade partner for the Lions. LaPorta would immediately slot in as Travis Kelce's much-needed heir, working alongside the aging tight end in 2026 and taking over as one of the primary receiving threats in Kansas City's dynamic offense once the future Hall of Famer hangs up his cleats."
Sam LaPorta trade proposal makes perfect sense for Chiefs
A first and a third-round pick for a tight end that was injured for half of the 2025 season would be risky but, if the move panned out, it'd definitely be worth it. LaPorta was sensational as a rookie and while his numbers have declined each year since then, when he's healthy and on the field, it's clear as day how much talent the guy has.
Kay's proposal makes sense because the Lions haven't extended LaPorta and the Chiefs are in need of a tight end after Kelce rides off into the retirement sunset. LaPorta gives them that franchise tight end to lean on and he'd even have a year of playing with and learning from Kelce in Kansas City before the future Hall of Famer called it a career.
It's unlikely the Chiefs make a move like this since they do still have Kelce for one more year but hey, why not dream big? LaPorta would be a lot of fun to watch in Andy Reid's offense catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. Make it happen, Brett Veach.
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