The Detroit Lions are now officially in the middle of a contract saga with Sam LaPorta, who cannot believe that he hasn’t been offered a new one.

The Detroit Lions drafted Sam LaPorta in the second round in 2023, and the tight end made an immediate impact. He had 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. He followed that up with another solid season in 2024 before a back injury cut his 2025 campaign short.

LaPorta had quickly become a key part of the new-look Lions offence, as well as a fan favourite. However, he is out of contract after the 2026 season, and the future isn’t looking very hopeful. Especially after his latest comments about the situation.

Sam LaPorta says he’ll ‘get paid elsewhere’ if Detroit Lions continue to disappoint on contract front

If a team drafts a player and they perform as well as LaPorta has, then a second contract is something the player is always likely to expect. The NFL can be a cruel business, though, and sometimes injuries can completely derail the best laid plans.

Whatever the case may be, Detroit’s refusal to seemingly engage with LaPorta on a new deal was addressed by the player himself. And it is safe to say that he is not happy.

“I think the combination of getting your heartstrings twisted as well as the violent sport we play—it sucks,” LaPorta said on Pardon My Take. “It’s disappointing that you go out there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt. Like last year, whatever it was, Week 9, Week 10, I break my f****** back for this team.

“And then I’m going out there this year, and I’m ballin’, and maybe they’re just not showing the love. So 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. I’ll go get paid somewhere else. So, whatever.”

It will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds. LaPorta may not be at the level he was in his first two years just yet, but it is hard to imagine that fans would be too happy if the team simply let him walk away after all he has achieved with the franchise.