Sam LaPorta expresses frustration over contract stalemate with Lions
· Yahoo Sports
Things are not going well between tight end Sam LaPorta and the Detroit Lions.
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Earlier this month, ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reported that LaPorta and the Lions had broken off contract talks and, “barring a significant breakthrough,” he is heading for free agency next offseason.
Now, LaPorta is expressing frustration with the situation publicly.
During a recent appearance on “Pardon My Take,” LaPorta did not hold back about how unhappy he is with the current state of affairs as it pertains to his contract.
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“I think the combination of getting your heartstrings twisted as well as the violent sport we play, it sucks,” LaPorta stated. “It’s disappointing that you go out there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt.”
“Like last year, whatever it was, Week 9, Week 10, I break my f****** back for this team. And then I’m going out there this year, and I’m ballin’, and maybe they’re just not showing the love,” he added.
LaPorta is referring to the back injury he suffered last season that ended his campaign early.
Sam LaPorta deserves big payday
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)LaPorta has shown no ill affects from his back injury in 2026, when he has looked like the top-notch player he was over his first three seasons in the NFL.
With 316 receiving yards and three scores over five games, LaPorta is on pace to break 1,000 yards and score 10 touchdowns. The former would be a career-high, and the latter would tie his career-best.
LaPorta’s production over his first three-plus seasons says he should receive a hefty extension that is at least near the top of the market.
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It isn’t clear how high the Lions are willing to go, but clearly whatever it is, it isn’t high enough for LaPorta.
What Lions said about LaPorta contract
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks on during warmups before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Both general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have expressed their desire to keep LaPorta in town for the long haul.
“We still want to keep those guys around; those plans haven’t changed,” Holmes said, per The Detroit News’ Richard Silva. “There’s a couple factors that we’ve still got to sort through. But in terms of us wanting those guys around? Absolutely. Hopefully, we can get that done.”
“There are always going to be two sides, and you work through these things, and just because there’s a report of that doesn’t mean that that’s some big issue, big deal,” Campbell said, via Benjamin Raven of MLive.com.
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“I love LaPorta. We love LaPorta. He’s a heck of a football player, and I thought he played his best game the other day. His work ethic, his production speaks for itself,” Campbell added.
While that’s all well and good, having love and respect for a player doesn’t always equate to wanting to give that player the contract extension he wants.
As we sit here today, it looks like LaPorta’s days in Detroit are numbered.
What a LaPorta extension could look like
As we mentioned, LaPorta should be paid near top-of-the-market money, at worst.
The current top of the market is San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, who is operating on a four-year, $76.4 million contract, per Spotrac.
Right behind him is Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride and Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, who are making $76 million and $75 million, respectively, on four-year deals.
So, that’s about where LaPorta should settle in, especially if he continues on his torrid pace.
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The problem for the Lions is that they have committed so much money to their own players in recent years that they may not have the funds to make that kind of commitment, or simply don’t want to.
One thing we can say for sure is that if LaPorta stays healthy and continues on the pace he’s on right now, someone is going to pay him what he’s looking for in free agency in 2027.
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