Andrew Buller-Russ
For years, the Carolina Panthers have been trying to find a playmaking tight end. They’ve made multiple attempts at solving the position. None of them have worked out.
That includes drafting Tommy Tremble in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He’s the current starter, but his hold on the starting position isn’t exactly etched in stone, even after recording a career-high 249 yards in 2025, his fifth season of play. The Panthers also drafted Ja’Tavion Sanders in the fourth round in 2024, and Mitchell Evans in the fifth round in 2025.
Sanders has had a bigger season than Tremble, recording 342 yards in his rookie year, but that was in 2024, and he couldn’t reproduce it in 2025, regressing to just 190 yards last season. In other words, the Panthers could certainly still upgrade at the position.
Related: Carolina Panthers Urged to Trade for QB Upgrade Over Bryce Young
Should The Panthers Trade for Sam LaPorta?
While the Panthers have drafted three tight ends since 2021, and they’re all still on the roster. Yet, there’s no denying that franchise quarterback Bryce Young would benefit from an upgrade at the position.
If the Panthers can’t identify the right draft prospect, perhaps they could turn to a trade instead. Some think they should even target a Pro Bowler.
Recently, ESPN’s NFL analyst Ben Solak suggested the Panthers should try to trade for Detroit Lions star tight end Sam LaPorta. While there’s been no indication that the Lions are looking to trade the 25-year-old, Solak believes such a move is possible because of a bloated cap sheet in Detroit.
“Logic takes me to a place where the Lions should listen to trade offers on LaPorta. But who would call? I landed on the Panthers, who have a deep tight ends room but no difference-making pass catcher in the group. They could easily flip one of their young tight ends back to Detroit and carve out targets for LaPorta. Coach Dave Canales loves to get his tight ends YAC opportunities near the line of scrimmage, which fits LaPorta’s style. And because the Panthers’ starting receivers are big-bodied blockers (Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker), LaPorta can hide in the running game.”
ESPN’s Ben Solak on Panthers/LaPorta Trade
The idea of the Panthers getting Young a true weapon at the tight end position should excite everyone in the building. If they want their former No. 1 overall pick to reach his full potential, then the Panthers would do everything they can to surround him with playmakers. But they’ve failed to do so at tight end, and LaPorta would offer a quick fix.
Related: One NFL Trade All 32 Teams Could Make Before 2026 Season Starts
