Sam LaPorta makes perfect pitch to future Lions prospects in latest interview

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta had what he would consider a "down year" in 2024 with the team. If a down year means still nabbing 726 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, and 60 receptions in a crowded receiver room, then you can only imagine what he's attempting to do to bounce back in 2025.

LaPorta, who was drafted back in 2023 with one of the picks Detroit received as a part of the Jared Goff-Matthew Stafford trade, is still making it known that despite that slide he experienced last season, the Lions organization is one he will continue to want to play for as they've done nothing but set him up for success.

In response to a question about how tough rookie seasons tend to be in the NFL and how great LaPorta's first year went from Louie Stec on his "Simple" podcast, LaPorta said:

There's so many different situations that guys fall into in the league. Fortunately for me, I came into a really stable organization, Jared who had been in the system that he'd known for two solid years, a fantastic offensive coordinator in Ben Johnson calling plays, a fantastic position coach in Steve Heiden, who played for 11 years at the tight end position, as well as Dan being a resource for me. I think a combination of all those things helped me get introduced into the system and flourish, I guess? It's hard to say exactly how and why I had that fast start to my rookie year. Guys take a couple of years to get going, but there's so many different situations as I said.Sam LaPorta

LaPorta gives perfect pitch to prospective Lions targets

This is the perfect pitch to see if you're a player in college hoping to land with the Lions somewhere late in the first round of the NFL draft, as there's only the slimmest of chances they'd land anywhere near the top of the order given how big the teams' expectations are for this season. This is even great to hear if you're a veteran that could land with the team in free agency next season.

The only two changes made to the team that LaPorta did accredit to his success are the changing of the guard at offensive coordinator from Ben Johnson to John Morton, and changing from Steve Heiden to Tyler Roehl.

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While these changes can often bring about another slump for someone like LaPorta who will be relying on both these coaches to allow him to flourish, early returns from Lions players on Morton's playcalling style suggest that LaPorta is set up for major success in 2025. Jameson Williams just told reporters during the first few days of training camp that Morton's style is one he can mesh well with.

“He attacking every aspect of the game, He real aggressive. I just like that about him. I love about him the way he coaches, the way he calls plays, you know, how he attack the game and everything," said Williams to reporters on Tuesday.

While the Lions' receiving room is just as crowded with talent as it was last season, LaPorta is likely to factor in a lot more this year given his increase in experience and assuming that Morton will want to experiment heavily with the weapons at his disposal on offense.

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