Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta tried to reset the conversation around his contract Friday, apologizing for any distraction created by his earlier comments while reiterating that he wants to remain with the team. The comments came two days before Detroit hosts the Green Bay Packers in a pivotal NFC North game.
LaPorta told reporters he felt bad if his comments had become a distraction for teammates or coaches. He said his desire for a new deal stems from wanting long-term security as he and his wife prepare to welcome their first child in metro Detroit, but he also acknowledged that the front office controls those decisions.
LaPorta did not walk back his belief that his production merits pay comparable to the NFL’s top tight ends. The issue was not his desire for an extension, but the timing and tone of remarks that put a future elsewhere on the table while the Lions prepared for a division opponent.
Locked On Lions host Matt Dery said LaPorta’s Friday comments were necessary to cool the reaction from fans and move the focus back toward Sunday. Dery called the earlier remarks “tone-deaf” while also arguing that Detroit should pursue an extension for a player he considers among the league’s better tight ends.
Lions coach Dan Campbell also faced repeated questions about LaPorta’s comments Friday. Dery said Campbell described the attention as a distraction, an assessment that reflects the immediate concern for Detroit: keeping a contract matter from overtaking preparation for Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, running back Josh Jacobs and the Packers’ explosive passing game.
LaPorta’s most direct answer may matter most inside Ford Field. He said he wants to play in Detroit and raise his family there, giving the Lions a clear public commitment before the team turns its attention back to the field.
Lions News and Notes
– Defensive back Brian Branch (Achilles) and center Cade Mays (wrist) were full participants in practice this week and are listed as questionable. Dery expects both to play, which would give Detroit a major defensive reinforcement and put Mays in line for his Lions debut.
– Packers linebackers Edgerrin Cooper (Achilles) and Zaire Franklin (shin) will not play Sunday. Green Bay officially ruled out Franklin after a practice collision, leaving a thinner linebacker group for Detroit’s tight ends and run game to attack.
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.
