Over the weekend, ESPN reported the Detroit Lions and tight end Sam LaPorta had cut off contract extension talks after failing to come an agreement in the first four weeks of the season. The report wasn’t clear on whether the two sides had a chance to re-enter talks before the season ends, or if the sides would stand down until the offseason.
On Wednesday, LaPorta offered his first public thoughts on the contract negotiations, offering a fair amount of optimism moving forward. Much of that optimism appears
to come from the fact that he knows the Lions organization appreciates him.
“I would like to think that I’m optimistic,” LaPorta said. “I say that with a smile, because this is the organization that took a chance on me and drafted me and took me in. There was a very deep tight end class the year that I came out in 2023, and there’s been a lot of great tight ends that have come out of that class, some of which have gotten paid, some of which are younger than me and gotten paid, and that’s about all I can comment on other than, I’m going to keep doing my thing, keeping my head down and working hard.”
This offseason, several tight ends from the 2023 draft class signed contract extensions with the team that drafted them, including Michael Mayers (three years, $45 million), Tucker Kraft (four years, $75 million), and Darnell Washington (four years, $42 million). LaPorta told reporters that he is not necessarily looking to become the highest-paid tight end in football (which is currently George Kittle (four years, $76.4 million).
“I’ve never hung my hat on, like, being the highest paid tight end, being the first tight end to get drafted in my class, making the Pro Bowl, being first-team All-Pro,” LaPorta said. “I’ve always put all my chips in the pile of, ‘What can I do for the team?’ And those chips are still all there. And, like I said, I’m letting my agent and the front office handle the financial side of things, and when I feel like we’re a go, you guys will know. And I’m sure the news will break and everybody will shoot confetti in the air. It’ll be the whole thing.”
Earlier in the day, Lions coach Dan Campbell said contract talk were the last thing on his mind. But he also made sure to again express his appreciation for what LaPorta brings to the table.
“Just because there’s a report of that doesn’t mean that that’s some big issue, big deal,” Campbell said. “I love LaPorta. We love LaPorta. He’s a heck of a football player and I though he played his best game the other day. His work ethic, his production speaks for itself.”
Still, there is obviously some road block in negotiations. LaPorta opened the door for conversations to continue during the season, but described the current status as a “stalemate.”
“I don’t know if it’s truly off the table, but I think there’s certainly a stalemate right now,” LaPorta said. “I’m really giving the reins to my agent, Jack Bechta. He’s been handling it with the front office. All the advice he’s given me so far is that we just haven’t come to terms yet.”
Despite what is likely a frustrating situation, LaPorta said it will not impact his game on the field, where his focus remains resolute.
“That’s about all I can comment on other than I’m going to keep doing my thing, keeping my head down and working hard,” LaPorta said.
