Sam LaPorta disappointed Lions 'not showing the love' in contract talks

Nolan Bianchi, The Detroit News on Oct 21, 2026

Published in Football

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DETROIT — Tight end Sam LaPorta got candid about his contract impasse with the Detroit Lions in an interview on the “Pardon My Take” podcast that aired Wednesday, Oct. 21.

A few weeks after LaPorta told local media about a “stalemate” over a contract extension with the team that drafted him in 2023, he expressed disappointment on the podcast that he still hasn't landed a new deal.

Asked by one of the hosts if it’s hard to deal with playing on an expiring deal, LaPorta said, “I think the combination of, like, getting your heartstrings twisted, as well as the violent sport 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.”

LaPorta missed eight games last season after suffering a herniated disc that required surgery.

LaPorta continued, “You know, like last year, whatever it was, Week 9, Week 10, you know, 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. So, it sucks.”

LaPorta has been one of the league’s most productive tight ends since being selected out of Iowa as a second-round pick. Despite missing eight games last season, he still leads all tight ends from the 2023 draft class in receiving yards (2,420) and is seventh among all pass catchers.

LaPorta is off to another hot start and was a key piece in delivering the Lions a 45-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5. LaPorta caught all five passes thrown his way for a season-high 88 receiving yards and a 38-yard touchdown. In five games this season, he has 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns.

“I’m going to continue to do my thing and ball out,” said LaPorta, who added that he’s letting his agent handle most of the business. “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.”

He’s tied for second in receiving touchdowns (23) among members of the 2023 class, trailing only Seattle Seahawks receiver and reigning Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba (27).

Lions general manager Brad Holmes has repeatedly expressed a desire to re-sign both LaPorta and safety Brian Branch, another second-round pick in 2023, but neither player has been signed after coming off season-ending injuries in 2025.

ESPN reported earlier this month that LaPorta is likely to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 after contract talks were tabled between the two parties.

Four tight ends from the 2023 draft class have already been extended: Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft (four years, $75 million), Las Vegas’ Michael Mayer (three years, $45 million), Jacksonville’s Brenton Strange (three years, $36 million) and Pittsburgh’s Darnell Washington (four years, $42 million).