Isaac TeSlaa Facing Limited Chances as Lions’ First Two Progressions Continue to Click

· Yahoo Sports

Isaac TeSlaa entered the 2026 season with expectations to finally become a bigger part of the Detroit Lions’ offense. Two games later, the production still has not followed. The second-year receiver has two catches for 26 yards on six targets, while Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta continue to command most of the attention.

Now there is a clearer explanation for why TeSlaa has been quiet. The Lions are getting what they want from their first two progressions. That leaves the young receiver waiting for the situations where the play needs to go deeper into the progression or when the Lions specifically design something for him.

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Scottie Montgomery Explains Isaac TeSlaa’s Limited Opportunities

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa speaks after practice during rookie minicamp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Lions wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery spoke with reporters on September 23, ahead of the Lions’ Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets. 

“opportunities are going to be limited.” 

 

Montgomery explained that the Lions‘ first and second progressions have been open. Because of that, TeSlaa’s chances are expected to come more often in what Montgomery called “pressure situations,” particularly on fourth down and in the red zone.

That is a tough spot for a receiver who was expected to take a step forward this season. TeSlaa was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft after the Lions traded up to No. 70 to get him. His rookie season took some time to develop; however, his production improved later in the year. He finished with six touchdowns, including four after Week 10, and closed the season with eight catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns over the Lions in the final three games.

The momentum from that finish made the lack of involvement through two weeks stand out even more. There is also a recent example of the Lions wanting to involve him. After Week 1, Dan Campbell said the Lions wanted to give TeSlaa more opportunities after he played 52 offensive snaps, ran 32 routes, and handled 20 run-blocking snaps.

The issue is finding those opportunities without taking the ball away from players already producing. Quarterback Jared Goff threw 39 passes in the season opener, with 36 targets going to St. Brown, Williams, Gibbs, and LaPorta. That distribution makes Tesla’s role difficult to expand naturally. If those players continue getting open early in the progression, the ball is going their way.

Montgomery’s comments also explain why TeSlaa could remain a situational weapon rather than suddenly becoming a high-volume receiver.

Fourth downs and red-zone snaps can still create valuable chances. TeSlaa has the size and physical style to make those opportunities count, but there simply may not be many of them. For now, Detroit seems comfortable with how its offense is functioning. TeSlaa’s challenge is making the limited chances impossible to ignore.

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