Two games into the season, Detroit Lions receiver Isaac TeSlaa has seen a measly six targets, hauling in just two catches. Talk about a frustrating start! One of those measly grabs was a garbage-time fourth-and-18 conversion, with the team already down 17 points and about two minutes left.
The Lions’ Stacked Offense Is TeSlaa’s Biggest Problem
Lions fans have been scratching their heads, feeling frustrated. The team spent significant draft capital on this second-year receiver, so where’s the production? On Wednesday, Lions associate head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery finally pulled back the curtain on TeSlaa’s quiet start. Turns out, it’s got little to do with TeSlaa himself; it’s all about how absolutely stacked the Lions are in the passing game.
TeSlaa is essentially playing fifth fiddle, behind offensive juggernauts like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery laid it out clear: “Tes [TeSlaa], his opportunities are going to be limited just because of how we’re built as an offense, whether it be at tight end or it be at wideout, whether it be in the backfield, who we have a phenomenal player in the backfield.” Jared Goff hasn’t even needed to progress beyond his first or second read! Defenses are playing the Lions differently this year, surprisingly leaving All-Pro St. Brown in a bunch of one-on-one situations. Montgomery explained, “But at this point in time right now, it’s been really one of those situations where a lot of times our first in progression has been open, our second in progression has been open, and sometimes when you’re not first or second in the progression, you have to wait until you get going.”
The Grit Behind The Stats and The Jets Game Looming
So, while he’s been waiting for his turn, what exactly *has* TeSlaa been doing? He’s been doing the “dirty work.” We’re talking blocking, being physical, and even lining up so tight to the line he’s practically playing as an extra tight end. Montgomery praised him, saying, “Right now, he’s playing harder than damn-near anybody that we have on our offensive side of the ball. He is mixing it up, he’s physical. And that’s what you have to do when you’re in that role. A lot of guys have never played in that role.”
This unseen grind is crucial, because Montgomery fully expects this situation to change. He thinks it’s going to happen this week against the Jets. Why the Jets? Their defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, knows exactly how much damage St. Brown can inflict. This means coverages will likely shift, opening up those deeper progressions. Montgomery’s message for TeSlaa is clear: “We have to judge [TeSlaa] off of those plays until we get everything rolling to a point to where we are equally distributing because of the coverage and how they’re moving to Saint.” His opportunities might be limited to critical moments: fourth downs, red zone chances, and crucial third downs. This is when he has to show up big.
Don’t sleep on the Jets game. It could be the tipping point where TeSlaa finally gets those chances to explode. Keep your eyes peeled for those high-leverage situations, because that’s where TeSlaa could prove his worth and make some noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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