Sam LaPorta just put the Detroit Lions organization on blast, telling “Pardon My Take” that if he doesn’t get a new deal, he’s “all good” playing for another team next year. Yeah, you read that right. The man who supposedly broke his back for the team last season, the one who’s “balling” out this year, feels like he’s not getting the love and he is not holding back.
The Fans Are Divided, and Coach Campbell Is Annoyed
LaPorta, a 2023 second-round pick, aired his grievances publicly, saying, “Like last year, whatever it was, Week 9, Week 10, I break my f—ing back for the team. And then I’m going out there this year and I’m balling, and maybe they’re just not showing the love.” He made it clear: “I’m going to continue to do my thing and ball out, 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.” Lions fans, predictably, are split. A lot of the faithful saw those comments as selfish, greedy, and tone-deaf for dropping during the season. Others, though, appreciated the candor. Even Coach Dan Campbell seemed visibly annoyed, repeatedly getting asked about LaPorta’s statements in a press conference. LaPorta did try to walk it back a little later, clarifying that he prefers to stay with the Lions. But the damage, it feels like, is done.
Quiet Game, Loud Demands: The Contract Standoff
It’s wild timing too, because LaPorta was a non-factor in the passing game until the final drive in the Lions’ 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. He snagged just one reception for 18 yards on two targets, marking his quietest game since early in the 2024 season. Despite that quiet outing, the dude is on pace for a monster season: 79 receptions, a career-high 946 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. Oh, and he’s doing all this without showing any ill effects from that herniated disc surgery he needed after breaking his back nine games into last season. He’s currently playing on the final year of his four-year rookie deal, making $5.8 million, which sounds like a bargain for his production. Here’s the kicker: contract extension talks between the Lions and LaPorta’s agent, Jack Bechta, broke off about three weeks ago. This is a team typically proactive about locking up their core players before rookie deals run out. So what gives?
Tucker Kraft Sets the Market, Brock Bowers Looms
The big question now is, what’s a fair price for LaPorta? His agent, Bechta, also represents Tucker Kraft, and Kraft’s recent deal with the Packers is setting the baseline. Kraft, a 2023 third-round pick, just signed a four-year, $75 million extension with the Packers right before the season started. That’s $18.75 million per year, making him the NFL’s third-highest-paid tight end, and it even includes incentives that could push it to $23 million annually! The Packers weren’t even phased by Kraft tearing his right ACL in the middle of the 2025 season. So, LaPorta’s agent has a clear number to shoot for, especially with whispers that Brock Bowers is “positioned to dramatically reshape the tight end market” even further. If the Lions are thinking franchise tag, LaPorta might just decide to wait things out, betting on a bigger payday. This isn’t just about money for LaPorta, it’s about respect, and right now, the ball’s in the Lions’ court. This contract standoff isn’t going anywhere, and it could define the Lions’ season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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