Lions TE Sam LaPorta Addresses Stalled Extension Talks

“I don’t know if it’s truly off the table, but I think there’s certainly a stalemate right now,” LaPorta confirmed (via Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network). “I’m really giving the reins to my agent, Jack Bechta… All the advice he’s given me so far is that we just haven’t come to terms yet.”

Detroit entered this past offseason with four prime extension candidates from the 2023 draft class. Two of them – linebacker Jack Campbell and running back Jahmyr Gibbs – have new contracts in place. LaPorta joins safety Brian Branch as a pending free agent (although the franchise tag could of course come into play in either of those cases). Bechta represents some of the league’s highest-paid tight ends, and LaPorta has a strong case to join them near the top of the position’s financial pecking order.

“I’ve never hung my hat on being the highest-paid tight end, being the first tight end to get drafted in my class, making the Pro Bowl, being first-team All-Pro,” the 25-year-old added. “I’ve always put all my chips in the pile of, ‘What can I do for the team?’ Those chips are still all there. Like I said, I’m letting my agent and the front office handle the financial side of things.”

Two tight ends are currently attached to an extension averaging $19MM or more per season. Tucker Kraft (another Bechta client) recently inked a Packers deal carrying an average annual value of $18.75MM, and LaPorta could aim to secure a similar figure if his strong start to the season continues. The Iowa product has managed 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 22 catches through four games in 2026.

LaPorta has been a key presence in the passing game throughout his career, although the Lions have wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on big-money contracts. Gibbs and quarterback Jared Goff are also set to remain on Detroit’s books for years to come, something which would make another large offensive investment challenging. It will be interesting to see if LaPorta’s camp winds up re-engaging in contract talks relatively soon, especially if resetting the TE market is not seen as being necessary.

The former second-rounder added he is still optimistic an extension agreement will eventually be reached, noting his desire to remain in Detroit beyond 2026. If that does not prove to be true, though, LaPorta will either be in line for a franchise tag or a trip to the open market.