Sports
Sam LaPorta says the Lions are "not showing the love" as he heads toward free agency
Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, in the last year of his rookie deal, said he would be fine getting paid somewhere else in 2027 if Detroit does not extend him.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is letting his frustration show. With no contract extension in sight, he says the team is "not showing the love" and he is at peace with playing somewhere else in 2027.
Ready to move on
LaPorta made the comments on a sports podcast this week. He said he plans to keep playing hard. If he is no longer wearing Honolulu blue in three months, he said, that will be fine with him because he will go get paid elsewhere.
He is in the final season of his rookie contract and is set to become a free agent in 2027.
A sharper tone
Earlier this month LaPorta called the extension talks a stalemate. At the time he said he was not focused on becoming the highest-paid tight end in the league. Those remarks came days after reports on Oct. 4 that the two sides had broken off talks.
This time he sounded more hurt. He talked about the risk players take every week in a violent sport. He pointed to the season-ending back injury he suffered for the team in 2025 and said he is playing well this year without being rewarded for it.
The numbers
LaPorta was a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro as a rookie in 2023. This season he has 27 catches for 316 yards plus three touchdowns.
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