Detroit, Michigan – Ben Johnson, the former standout offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, who is now leading the Chicago Bears, is reportedly aggressively pushing his new team to execute a trade to acquire Sam LaPorta — one of the players he values most highly from his time in Detroit.
Johnson, the man who turned Sam LaPorta into one of the most dangerous tight ends in the NFL over the past two seasons, believes LaPorta is the perfect piece to elevate the Bears’ offense and provide maximum support for Caleb Williams.
Sam LaPorta, the Lions’ second-round selection (pick 34) in the 2023 NFL Draft, has quickly become an offensive star.
Even though he has only played three seasons, he has already recorded more than 180 receptions, more than 2,000 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns. LaPorta is renowned for his reliable hands, excellent blocking, and high football IQ.
The Lions are in the final year of LaPorta’s rookie contract (2026), with a cap hit of approximately $6.74 million. However, the Lions are expected to negotiate a large extension with him.
Nevertheless, with salary cap pressure and the need for draft picks to continue building the roster, Detroit may seriously consider an attractive offer from the Bears.
For the Bears, acquiring LaPorta would immediately provide an elite tight end to support Caleb Williams, creating an extremely dangerous offensive duo alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
Ben Johnson understands LaPorta’s abilities and playing style better than anyone, and he believes the tight end will become a long-term cornerstone in the Bears’ offensive system.
Potential trade package: The Bears could send the Lions a first-round pick (2026 or 2027) along with a second-round or third-round pick and a depth player. This is considered a fair price for a talented young tight end like LaPorta.
Although trading Sam LaPorta is not the Lions’ top priority (especially since he is an important part of their long-term offensive plan), the abundant draft capital and the ability to free up cap space could make it difficult for the Lions to refuse — particularly if they want to add more draft selections to build around Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
As the 2026 offseason heats up, all eyes are on the potential negotiations between the Lions and Bears.
Acquiring Sam LaPorta would be a strong statement by Ben Johnson in his new role in Chicago, instantly upgrading the offense and increasing the Bears’ competitiveness in the NFC North.
This deal could significantly change both sides for years to come and promises to be one of the most attractive trades of the 2026 NFL offseason.
