The Detroit Lions couldn't have asked for anything more from tight end Sam LaPorta in his rookie season.
LaPorta, the No. 34 overall pick in the 2023 draft, spoiled the Lions with his high-level production. He quickly became a go-to target for quarterback Jared Goff, and put together one of the best seasons for a first-year tight end in NFL history.
The Iowa product caught the most passes by a rookie tight end in league history (86), and also became just the third rookie at the aforementioned position to amass at least 10 receiving touchdowns. Along with all that, he recorded 889 yards, the fifth-highest total by a tight end in 2023, and was named to this past season's Pro Bowl Games.
The future is undoubtedly bright for LaPorta. The depth behind him at the position, however, isn't the strongest.
Backup Brock Wright ended the 2023 campaign on injured reserve, and is a restricted free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, fellow reserves James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra also finished their ‘23 seasons on injured reserve.
Without further ado, let's examine the contract status of the tight ends that spent 2023 with the Lions.
The rookie sensation is signed through 2026, and will cost $2,151,363 against the cap in 2024.
He has $6,112,089 in guarantees remaining on his rookie contract.
Wright, who has been a member of the Lions since 2021, suited up for 14 games this past season, and secured 13 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
He finished the ‘23 season on injured reserve with a broken forearm, and will be a restricted free agent this offseason. As a restricted free agent, Detroit can match any offer that Wright receives from another NFL team.
Mitchell, a second-year pro in 2023, caught just two balls for 28 yards in 15 games this past season.
The Virginia Tech product closed out the ‘23 campaign on injured reserve, and is signed through 2025. He's set to count $1,045,639 against the cap in 2024, and possesses $121,278 in remaining guarantees on his rookie deal.
Zylstra, a reserve tight end with the Lions since 2021, ended the 2023 season on injured reserve.
He's set to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, which limits him to negotiating with the Lions unless Brad Holmes & Co. allow the 27-year-old to explore free agency.
Firkser, who played his first four NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2018-2021), suited up for two games with Detroit in ‘23.
The Harvard product is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so his future with the Lions is in doubt.
The three-time Pro Bowler was signed by the Lions to their practice squad in the week leading up to the NFC Championship Game. Despite that being the case, he ended up not being activated for the game.
The 33-year-old will be a “street free agent” this offseason.
A street free agent is a player who was under contract with an NFL team in 2023, but not on a team's active roster at season’s end. Subsequently, the Stanford product will be free to immediately sign with any NFL franchise at the start of free agency (March 13).
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