Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta turned a private contract question into a public storyline when he suggested on “Pardon My Take” that he would be fine getting paid elsewhere if he is no longer in Detroit in three months. The comments arrived days before a divisional matchup with the Green Bay Packers and gave the team an avoidable subject to manage.
LaPorta described the physical toll of football and said he felt the organization was not “showing the love” as he seeks a new deal. He later added that if he does not get to remain with the Lions, he will “go get paid somewhere else.” The club has expressed interest in a long-term agreement, but the status of the negotiations has not been publicly confirmed.
Locked On Lions host Jake Riepma said LaPorta’s value makes the situation more complicated than a routine contract dispute. LaPorta has 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns through five games this season, and he remains one of Jared Goff’s most reliable targets in the passing game.
Guest Jeff Riger argued that LaPorta hurt his standing with some fans by airing his frustration publicly, while acknowledging the tight end has every right to pursue the contract he wants. Riger’s criticism centered on the framing rather than LaPorta’s value, saying an NFL player discussing financial frustration can land poorly with the audience paying to follow the team.
The roster math gives Detroit reason to be deliberate. General manager Brad Holmes must weigh LaPorta’s future alongside other expensive decisions, including a potential extension for defensive back Brian Branch. Keeping a productive 25-year-old tight end matters, but the front office has to set a price that fits its broader plan.
LaPorta can quickly shift the conversation back to football with a productive game against Green Bay. Until then, his remarks leave the Lions balancing the value of retaining a core offensive player against the cost of letting a contract impasse become a weekly storyline.
Lions News and Notes
– Riepma said he expects center Cade Mays (wrist) to reclaim the starting job after Dan Campbell said the team gave Mays extensive work in practice. The official depth chart currently lists Juice Scruggs first at center, so Detroit’s lineup for Green Bay remains a decision to watch.
– Riger said the Packers will provide a meaningful test for Detroit’s secondary, particularly against quarterback Jordan Love and wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. He also pointed to Green Bay’s turnover production as a challenge for Goff and the offense.
Some or all of this content may have been generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, AI can occasionally produce incorrect information. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
