Last season, Isaac TeSlaa snagged six dazzling touchdowns and averaged a killer 14.1 yards per catch over 16 receptions and 239 yards, showing off pure NFL hands and physicality. But here’s the kicker: the majority of those highlight-reel catches came with a defender draped all over him, or TeSlaa diving and stretching to haul in a pass Goff just wanted to keep out of harm’s way. He was winning those battles, no doubt, but that’s not exactly how the Lions’ offense *wants* to operate.
Detroit’s Philosophy: No 50-50 Bets
Turns out, the biggest reason TeSlaa wasn’t getting more targets as a rookie came from a guy who never even coached him. Back in November, Bears coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson laid it out straight when asked about dialing up “50-50 opportunities” for receivers: “I’m not a big (fan of) 50-50 balls, to be honest with you,” Johnson said. He pointed to his track record, stating, “we liked to get guys open a little bit more than just throwing it up for grabs. That’s not really what we want to be about.” This philosophy is still rock-solid at the core of Detroit’s offense. TeSlaa proved he could win those tough battles, but the goal is to beat the defender during the route, not just at the catch point.
The Untapped Potential of Quickness and Clean Breaks
So, TeSlaa’s next step is clear: get open. And the Lions are actively working to make it happen, and from the sounds of it, it’s paying off. Lions receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said they wanted to improve TeSlaa’s “short-area quickness.” That’s huge! It means he can win one-on-one with both quickness *and* length, giving Jared Goff an “even bigger window to throw the football.” Montgomery is hyped on how much cleaner TeSlaa’s “top of his breaks” look now. Plus, new passing game coordinator Mike Kafka noted TeSlaa “can run through contact,” which makes those non-contested catches even more beneficial. When you throw in that blazing 4.43-second 40-yard dash he clocked at the 2025 NFL Combine, you realize his upside with the ball in his hands is absolutely sky-high and completely untapped.
What TeSlaa’s Development Means Moving Forward
Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend weighed in too, saying TeSlaa’s adding “repertoire to his route-running game.” He’s not just running full speed and high-pointing it anymore; he’s becoming more in tune with his tempo and physicality to win reps on the route. “He’s becoming a much better route runner,” Townsend confirmed. Now, this doesn’t mean those jump-ball opportunities are gone forever. Third-down and red-zone plays will still give him plenty of room to flex that ability. And who knows, as his rapport with Goff grows, maybe Goff gets even more comfortable slinging those types of passes. But TeSlaa’s speed and athleticism tell us he can be so much more. Keep your eyes peeled this season; if this development keeps up, TeSlaa could be a true game-changer, giving Goff a weapon he’s only just beginning to truly unlock.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply