The Detroit Lions had one of the most-hyped offseason fan favorites last season. Isaac TeSlaa looked like one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft, torching his opposition in the preseason and seeming poised for a big role out of the gate.
That wasn't the case last season. He was a victim of the Lions' stacked wide receiver room, John Morton's stagnant offense, and predictable play-calling. Still, he showed enough promise to be one of the primary breakout candidates for this season.
That's why it's been so disappointing to hear the opposite. According to Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network, TeSlaa has been through some tough days in training camp. He's off to a 'sluggish start' and has struggled against the secondary.
Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa is going through a sluggish start in training camp
"Meanwhile, Isaac TeSlaa continued what’s been a sluggish start to camp. He didn’t win a single rep in one-on-ones, losing to the physical coverage of Rock Ya-Sin twice and proving unable to come up with a fade ball against Roger McCreary," Rogers wrote.
"TeSlaa’s struggles continued to the team periods, with Ya-Sin breaking up a fade into the end zone. TeSlaa also had a post pattern tipped away by the corner, with safety Chuck Clark converging to help over the top on the route."
Of course, it's way too early to give up on him. There's plenty of time to turn things around and close out camp strong. Also, the Lions will most likely hold out the starters for most of the preseason, but they may give him an expanded role there again this offseason.
While TeSlaa should be one of their starting wide receivers in three-WR sets, he's a young player who would benefit from more reps in game-like situations. Also, that should help him shake off the rust, get his legs back under him, and regain his confidence.
TeSlaa is way too talented to give up on him, more so this early into training camp. He's an athletic freak with a knack for making acrobatic catches, and he has a reliable and strong set of hands to win in contested-catch situations.
He was out there for 312 snaps last season, hauling in 16 receptions on 27 targets for 239 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 14.9 yards per catch, and all but two of his receptions went for either a first down or a touchdown.
The Lions should do just fine with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Sam LaPorta should also have a bigger role with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing taking the reins. As such, they don't actually need TeSlaa to play like a superstar just yet; it would be overkill.
That said, the Lions know how special and how much of a dynamic playmaker he can turn out to be. Expectations will always be higher for players like him, and he'll have to work twice as hard to leave that slow start in the rearview mirror.
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