The Detroit Lions and tight end Sam LaPorta have paused contract talks after failing to reach a long-term deal in the opening weeks of the 2026 season, leaving the 25-year-old headed toward free agency unless negotiations resume.
Sources told NFL Network the sides stopped discussions after a push Friday and Saturday produced no agreement. Talks are not permanently closed, and Detroit has completed in-season extensions before, but a deal before the offseason is viewed as unlikely.
“The Detroit Lions and star tight end Sam LaPorta have broken off contract talks, sources told NFL Network, after attempting to work out a long-term deal for the first few weeks of the season,” Ian Rapoport reported.
LaPorta is in the final year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Barring a breakthrough, he would enter the market as one of the top available players at any position. The Lions also retain the franchise tag as a fallback.
“But after LaPorta overcame back surgery and showed that he’s healthy this year, the thought is that a deal is unlikely considering the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement over the first four weeks of the season,” Rapoport wrote.
LaPorta wanted the contract issue set aside so he could focus on the field. The sides agreed any new deal would wait until after the season.
Through three games, LaPorta has 14 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown while playing about 90% of Detroit’s offensive snaps. He has also graded well as a blocker. The Lions are 2-1.
His production has not matched his rookie year. In 2023, the second-round pick caught 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns, earned a Pro Bowl berth and was named second-team All-Pro.
He followed with 60 receptions for 726 yards and seven scores in 2024. Last season he had 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns in nine games before a herniated disk ended his year and required surgery.
A market comparison is Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft. The Packers signed Kraft to a four-year, $75 million extension before this season, with a maximum value of $92 million and a $26.5 million signing bonus. The deal averages $18.75 million per year.
LaPorta and Kraft share agent Jack Bechta. LaPorta had hoped to become the second star tight end to land a major extension in recent months. George Kittle’s $19.1 million average remains the top mark at the position.
Detroit has extended several homegrown stars in recent years, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Kerby Joseph. General manager Brad Holmes had said this offseason he hoped to do the same with LaPorta.
Prime-age tight ends rarely reach free agency. If talks stay paused, the franchise tag is projected in the range of $17.5 million for one year, buying the club more time.
LaPorta was selected 34th overall in 2023 and signed a four-year rookie deal worth about $9.5 million. His next contract will set his value after an injury-shortened 2025 and a modest start to 2026.
