Sam LaPorta has been the subject of some controversy this week after appearing on Barstool’s Pardon My Take podcast, which isn’t just some rinky-dink show; it draws an audience of sometimes over a million every episode.
A million different people got to listen as LaPorta expressed frustration with contract negotiations and how he feels like he should be compensated fairly, and if not, he can get paid somewhere else. He was pretty blunt about it and offered a real perspective that every player has to come face-to-face with at some point.
LaPorta reiterated that it’s a business. He would obviously like to get a deal done, but if it doesn’t happen, he’ll be just fine somewhere else.
The words that came out of his mouth seemed a bit harsh, and many speculated that he didn’t truly want to be in Detroit if that’s how he felt, but fellow Iowa Hawkeye Jack Campbell — a team captain — had some thoughts on the matter that should talk Lions fans down from the ledge.
Jack Campbell relates to Sam LaPorta: "There's some truth in both sides"
— 97.1 The Ticket: (@971theticketxyt) October 23, 2026
"At the end of the day, that’s just his feelings. He’s on a podcast, he’s just sharing how he feels. I don’t think it should be taken as deep as it is." https://t.co/Fn5yvXF1wx
Campbell is the voice of reason here, and he’s absolutely right. The Pardon My Take audience is well aware that guests often come on and act as real as possible. It’s not your typical reporter-athlete interview; it’s like a conversation between friends, and that often leads to guests saying something they wouldn’t normally say in an interview. That’s why the show is so popular.
Whatever is said on Pardon My Take shouldn’t be looked into too deeply, like Campbell said. LaPorta was just having a real conversation, and it got clipped and, unfortunately, went viral for the wrong reasons.
This feels like a nothingburger, which is probably why Dan Campbell is also sick of answering questions about it.
Sam LaPorta: “I want to play for this team”
LaPorta responded on Friday that he wants to play for Detroit, but it’s in the hands of the organization and his agent to get a deal done that he can be excited to sign.
That should settle the fanbase down after it collectively lost its mind when LaPorta said that he’d be fine if he couldn’t wear the Honolulu blue next season (comments that were taken out of context). But then he said he didn’t have any regrets about anything he said, which is going to rile some people right back up.
He handled this whole situation like a pro, didn’t get too emotional, and responded in a respectable way, reiterating that his goal is to remain in Detroit and get a deal done.
It’s up to Detroit to pay him what he — and everyone else — thinks he’s worth.
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