TE Sam LaPorta voices frustration over Lions 'not showing the love' in contract talks

Sam LaPorta and the Detroit Lions recently paused contract negotiations. That has left the tight end miffed. 

LaPorta sounded off about the stalled contract talks during a Wednesday episode of Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take." 

Sam LaPorta discusses contract situation

"I think it's a combination of getting your heart strings twisted as well as the violent sport we play—it sucks," LaPorta, who's playing on the last year of his four-year, $9.46M rookie contract, said (h/t Field Level Media). "It's disappointing that you go out there every week and 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, I'm ballin', and maybe they're not just showing me the love."

Last season, LaPorta suffered a herniated disc in his back that required surgery, sidelining him for the team's last eight games. The 2023 second-team All-Pro healed in time for camp and is reestablishing himself as one of the NFL's top TEs. 

Entering Week 7, he ranks second on the Lions in receiving yards (316 on 27 receptions) behind star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (372 on 37 receptions) and is 13th in the NFL in touchdown catches (three). Pro Football Focus credits him with the eighth-most yards per route run (1.82) among 40 eligible TEs. Yards per route run divides a player's receiving yards by the number of routes run to measure efficiency.