Notes: George Kittle pays Lions rookie TE Sam Laporta a huge compliment

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is a proven talent on the gridiron. That’s why it’s more than a good sign he’s got such positive things to say about one of the newest Lions, rookie Sam LaPorta.

Both former Iowa Hawkeyes, of course they never shared the field but Kittle is familiar with LaPorta’s game. Scott Dochterman, who covers Iowa football for The Athletic, tweeted out on Monday evening a great quote from the All-Pro NFL tight end:

This isn’t the first time Kittle has taken a shining to a fellow Iowa grad turned Lion. He and former Lion turned Minnesota Viking T.J. Hockenson were well known to be pals — I invite you to relive the beauty that was this commercial.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• “A win or strong showing with the whole football world watching could set the tone for the Lions’ best season of the 21st century.” CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell offers each team’s most anticipated game.

• The NFL announced a league-wide expansion of an initiative to increase diversity in sports medicine, which provides medical students with the opportunity to complete a clinical rotation with NFL club medical staff.

• More league news — NFL owners approved the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium as the host site of Super Bowl LX in 2026 at the Spring League Meeting on Monday.

• Even more league news—the NFL announced the 2025 draft will take place at the home of the Green Bay Packers.

• They didn’t quite make the cut, but the Lions earned an honorable mention on this list of the top 10 most complete teams entering the season.

• The third phase of the offseason training program begins this week. Detroitlions.com’s Tim Twentyman explains what that means and what to watch out for.