Sam LaPorta breaks off contract talks with Detroit

LaPorta was the only Lion outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown to catch more than two passes. He accounted for a fifth of Jared Goff’s targets, but the team’s low-volume passing approach meant there wasn’t much volume to go around. LaPorta has gone cold in recent weeks with three straight games under 40 yards. He’ll look to get back on track as a mid-range TE1 versus the Patriots next week.

LaPorta had a quiet day against a Minnesota defense that has shut down opposing tight ends for much of the season. He had at least 80 receiving yards in each of that past two Detroit games. LaPorta had been a serviceable starting tight end headed into Week 8, and should have a better outlook in Week 9 against the Bills. He’s been targeted on 18 percent of his routes on the season.

While Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams combined for 244 yards and two touchdowns, LaPorta was an afterthought in the Lions’ offense on Sunday. LaPorta’s first target didn’t come until late in the fourth quarter, and his first catch came in the fourth quarter on an 18-yard play. It was an uncharacteristically underwhelming game by LaPorta, who entered the day coming off two-straight games in which he topped 80 yards and found the end zone. Despite the dud performance, LaPorta will be in the TE1 ranks next week at home against the Vikings.

According to one of Jones’ sources, Lions GM Brad Holmes “does not like losing his draft picks, especially high ones.” A second-rounder in 2023, LaPorta made waves earlier this week when he expressed frustration with his lack of a contract extension on the Pardon My Take podcast. While those frustrations persist, the 25-year-old tight end clarified some of his comments to local Detroit media Friday, reiterating his desire to stay with the Lions long-term. Jones notes that other extensions the Lions have handed out have taken some time to get done. He also cautions that the team shouldn’t wait too long to sign LaPorta as the Raiders are unlikely to waste time making Brock Bowers the highest-paid tight end in football when he becomes extension-eligible after the season.

Earlier this week, LaPorta expressed frustration in an interview about his contract negotiations stalling in-season. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy asked him a few follow-up questions today on the matter today, and LaPorta made clear that he hopes to remain a Lion long-term and is excited about the prospect of raising a family in Detroit. LaPorta seemed extremely earnest, saying he felt bad about his comments potentially causing a distraction for his team, but he knows his teammates care for him and want him to be happy and compensated. He handled the issue well and appears to be ready to play hard for a lucrative contract extension, which is good news for fantasy managers. LaPorta is a locked-in TE1 against the Packers this week.

LaPorta got involved on the Lions’ third drive, making a clutch 12-yard grab on 4th-and-3 while suffering what the officials deemed an unnecessarily rough hit by LB Mack Wilson at the end of the play. He chipped in two catch-and-run plays on the following drive. The first being an 11-yard play that was controversially ruled down in front of the sticks. Coach Dan Campbell called his number on the next play, resulting in an effortless 38-yard touchdown down the right side of the field. LaPorta tacked on an eight-yard catch and a 19-yard catch in the second half as the Lions cruised to a blowout win. He goes on bye next week but returns to the TE1 ranks in Week 7 against the Packers.

LaPorta was the primary beneficiary against the single-high-heavy Panthers, which was interesting considering both of Carolina’s top two corners were absent from this game. The 13 targets were easily a season high for the veteran tight end, primarily the result of 52 Jared Goff pass attempts in what would become a negative game script. LaPorta routinely found space behind the linebackers as the primary outlet through pressure for Goff, and while it remains unlikely he repeats the lofty target totals, LaPorta’s red zone acumen keeps him a fantasy TE1 ahead of a very different matchup in the two-high-heavy Cardinals in Week 5.

LaPorta was a secondary piece of the passing attack in this game, taking a backseat to Jhamyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The two superstars combined for 16 targets while LaPorta and Jameson Williams were held to a combined eight looks. LaPorta has at least 44 yards in every game this year but no more than 52. With a solid floor established, all that’s left is for LaPorta to hit on a ceiling game. He remains a mid-range TE1 for Week 4 against the Panthers.

LaPorta combined with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs to be the primary targets for quarterback Jared Goff on a night where relentless pressure from the Bills forced the offense to primarily attack the intermediate areas of the field. That could be the norm for this offense moving forward considering the mounting injuries along their offensive line, which are likely to be felt the most against opponents with a legitimate pass rush. That may not be the case in Week 3 when the Lions host the Jets, a team that is likely to also utilize elevated rates of zone coverage. LaPorta has had stark man-zone splits throughout his career and could see less volume due to matchup. He’ll be a low-end TE1 against the Jets.

Week 1 was business as usual for LaPorta, who finished second on the team in catches and yards. After missing time in the offseason recovering from a season-ending back injury and later a minor hip issue, this goes down as a big win for the young tight end, even if fantasy managers aren’t thrilled with his score. LaPorta will project for TE1 numbers when the Lions take on the Ravens next week.