The Detroit Lions are coming off their bye week and should be refreshed for a divisional battle against the Green Bay Packers. While that's the focus for the Lions, there's always an eye towards the future.
Extension talks around tight end Sam LaPorta were a major talking point this offseason, but there was no extension agreed upon. Earlier in the month, LaPorta revealed that talks hit a stalemate, and his recent comments suggest the door may be closing on his long-term future in the Motor City.
LaPorta was a guest on the Pardon My Take podcast. He spoke about how this could be his last year with the Lions and how playing a brutal game like football can be tough, especially when you're not getting compensated at the level you believe you're worth.
Sam LaPorta understandably expresses his annoyance with the Lions
"I think the combination of like, getting your heartstrings twisted, as well as the violent sport that we play, you know, it sucks, and it's disappointing that you go out there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt. You know, like last year, whatever it was, week nine, week 10, you know, I break my f****** back for the team, and them I'm going out there this year and I'm balling and maybe they're just not showing the love," LaPorta said.
"So it sucks. I'm going to continue to be a pro. And I dish a lot of that to my agent and he handles that great. And in three months, if I don't get to wear the Honolulu blue and play for the Lions anymore, it's going to be all good. I'll go get paid somewhere else. So whatever," LaPorta added.
While Lions fans won't love to read these comments, you can't blame LaPorta for feeling this way. As he said, football is one of the most violent sports anyone can play. On any given snap or play, they could suffer an injury that could derail their season or even their careers.
Players put their bodies on the line in each game, so when they are up for an extension, they love to get the money they feel they deserve.
Like LaPorta stated, he suffered a herniated disc in his back that ended his season after Week 10 against the Washington Commanders.
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That was a tough blow for a player who was looking to earn an extension then, but the injury threw a wrench in that plan. That likely played a role in why the Lions didn't seek to offer an extension that satisfied both sides.
From the Lions' point of view, that 2023 draft class was stacked. They decided to pay Jack Campbell and Jahmyr Gibbs from the bunch, yet they haven't done the same with LaPorta and safety Brian Branch. The common denominator? LaPorta and Branch both dealt with season-ending injuries.
The stats show how impactful LaPorta is for Detroit
Despite that, LaPorta has been one of the best tight ends in the game. Between the 2023 and 2025 seasons, LaPorta ranked fifth among tight ends in receiving yards (2,104), ninth in catches (186), third in receiving touchdowns (20), and fifth in receiving yards per game (50.1).
Whenever he suits up, he's a productive player, and that has been clear this season. Through six weeks, LaPorta is fifth among tight ends in receiving yards (316), seventh in catches (27), and tied for third in receiving touchdowns (3). From the Lions' perspective, he's second on the team in catches, yards, and receiving scores.
You can't overlook how good he has been for this team, but when it comes to the negotiating table, he isn't getting the respect he believes he deserves. With talks not progressing and LaPorta airing out his frustrations, there's a real chance that the 2026 season could be LaPorta's last with the Lions. The biggest takeaway from his comments is that he would be perfectly fine walking away and getting a bag from someone else in free agency.
And based on things have gone, could anyone blame him? I'd say no.
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