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Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is displeased over the status of his contract discussions with Detroit.
LaPorta, in the final season of his rookie deal, stated that he was unhappy with the lack of an extension and said he’d be comfortable taking his show elsewhere in 2027.
“I think the combination of getting your heartstrings twisted as well as the violent sport that we play, it sucks,” he said on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast. “It’s disappointing that you go out there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt.
“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.”
It’s a lot more blunt than LaPorta sounded just a couple of weeks ago when he said contract talks had reached a stalemate and that his focus was not on being the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
“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,” LaPorta said on the podcast. “I’ll go get paid somewhere else. So whatever.”
The 49ers’ George Kittle is the current standard-bearer for tight end contracts with his four-year, $76.4 million deal that started in 2025.
Wherever it comes from, LaPort is due a massive raise from his four-year, $9.466 million rookie deal. He’s received high praise from head coach Dan Campbell for his strong play thus far in his fourth pro season with 27 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns through five games.
LaPorta was selected 34th overall in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa. In his rookie season, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro.
He missed eight games in 2025 after suffering a fully herniated disc, which required surgery. He also dealt with a hip injury in the preseason.