Sam LaPorta shares disappointment in Lions for lack of extension: ‘Break my f—ing back for the team’
Sam LaPorta, the top tight end for the Detroit Lions, is not happy with his franchise as he still awaits a contract extension.
And it’s gotten to the point where he insinuated, with expletives included, that he doesn’t mind finding a new NFL home in three months.
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LaPorta is in the final year of his rookie contract, and despite developing into one of the best players at his position in the league, and more importantly one that helps the Lions’ high-octane offense function, he hasn’t received an extension.
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Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions scores a second-quarter touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 11, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (Getty Images)
The Iowa product made an appearance on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take,” where he was blunt about how he feels regarding his contract situation.
“I think the combination of getting your heartstrings twisted as well as the violent sport that we play, it sucks,” LaPorta explained to the crew. “And it’s disappointing that you go out there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt. “Like last year, whatever it was, Week 9, Week 10, I break my f—ing back for the team. And then I’m going out there this year, and I’m balling, and maybe they’re just not showing the love.
“So, it sucks. I’m going to continue to be a pro, and I dish a lot of that to my agent, and he handles that great. …So, I’m going to continue to go do my thing and ball out. And in three months, if I don’t get to wear the Honolulu Blue and play for the Lions anymore, it’s going to be all good. I’ll go get paid somewhere else.”
LaPorta has hauled in 27 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns through five games thus far in 2026. He’s fifth in the NFL in receiving yards for tight ends, and the Lions are coming off their bye week.
He’s a Pro Bowler, a second-team All-Pro, and like he said, he literally broke his back for the Lions.
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Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions celebrates during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 11, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (Getty Images)
LaPorta underwent a microdiscectomy to repair a herniated disc in his back this past November.
“I was talking to someone this morning actually about it, and I made the example: In training camp, we got live a little bit, but your teammates are still going to take it easy on you. So, Week 1, you take a couple shots, and you kind of bounce up off the turf like, ‘Oh yeah, I guess I can still do this. I can get smoked, get up and go back in and play like 90% of the snaps or whatever it was.’
“So, it’s just kind of an eye-opening moment, but cool to bounce back from that.”
Basically, LaPorta is implying that the surgery went well and he’s proving that the back injury shouldn’t be anything to worry about, if in fact the Lions are.
Sam LaPorta (87) of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 22, 2025. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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As a second-round pick, the Lions were not able to add a fifth-year option to LaPorta’s rookie deal, meaning he would be a free agent come March if no deal were to get done.
In the meantime, LaPorta will prepare with his Lions teammates for an NFC North matchup with a hot Green Bay Packers team at home on Sunday.
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