July 21, 2026, 6:45 a.m. ET

As the 2026 NFL season beckons, CBS Sports compiled a list of star players who could be in line for a franchise tag after this upcoming season. CBS identified who the Detroit Lions may be looking at as a prime candidate for such a maneuver.

Each year, NFL teams are allowed to retain the rights to one of their impending free agents with the use of a franchise or transition tag during a 15-day period beginning on the 22nd day before the start of the upcoming league year and ending at 4 p.m. ET on the eighth day prior to the start of the upcoming league year. The designation window in 2027 will be from Feb. 17 to March 3.

According to CBS’ Joel Corry, the Lions‘ likely 2027 franchise tag candidate is tight end Sam LaPorta.

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. LaPorta had a fast start to his career. He set a single-season rookie record for a tight end with 86 receptions in 2023, which was broken by Brock Bowers the following year, and earned second-team All-Pro honors in the process.

LaPorta missed the final eight games last season with a herniated disc in his back, which required surgery. The most recent relevant data point in the tight end market is the three-year, $53 million contract, averaging $17,666,667 per year, with $36 million fully guaranteed Pitts signed with the Falcons in June as a franchise player. – Joel Corry, CBS Sports

Before his season-ending injury, LaPorta had totaled 40 receptions for 489 yards with three touchdowns in 2025. Lions general manager Brad Holmes could still iron out a long-term extension with LaPorta before or during the 2026 NFL season if he and the front office see that LaPorta looks like himself this coming season.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

But, if there’s a hiccup in negotiations or if the Lions want a longer runway to evaluate LaPorta’s injury recovery, the franchise tag could turn into a valuable option.

For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews