Lions tight finish Sam LaPorta is displeased over the standing of his contract discussions with Detroit.
LaPorta, in the last season of his rookie deal, acknowledged that he was sad with the lack of an extension and said he’d be comfy taking his present 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 danger of getting harm.
Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta (87) reacts after a fourth-quarter landing against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Getty Images
“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 in the past when he said contract talks had reached a stalemate and that his focus was not on being the highest-paid tight finish 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.”
Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta warms up before an NFL soccer recreation against the New York Jets in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
The 49ers’ George Kittle is the present standard-bearer for tight finish contracts with his four-year, $76.4 million deal that began in 2025.
Wherever it comes from, LaPort is due a large increase from his four-year, $9.466 million rookie deal. He’s acquired excessive reward from head coach Dan Campbell for his sturdy play thus far in his fourth professional season with 27 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns through 5 video games.
LaPorta was chosen thirty fourth total in the second spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft out of the University of Iowa. In his rookie season, he was chosen to the Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro.
He missed eight video games in 2025 after struggling a totally herniated disc, which required surgical procedure. He also dealt with a hip harm in the preseason.