The NFL trade deadline has been circled on a lot of calendars this season because, for one, the Lions need some help in certain areas, and the front office needs to address it. And two, there’s one key player who’s been at the center of a lot of trade rumors amid a contract stalemate.
Sam LaPorta has been considered one of the Lions’ top trade candidates, seeing as he’s set to become a free agent after the season and Detroit has yet to get a deal done.
Plus, LaPorta voiced some recent frustrations about not feeling the love from the organization despite him balling out for three-plus years. The trade rumors had been heating up.
That was until Monday when an interesting report surfaced.
According to a report by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Lions have received several calls about LaPorta, but the organization has made it known that they’re planning on working out a long-term deal with the All-Pro tight end. They haven’t come out and said anything to teams, but they’re getting the impression that Detroit wants to keep LaPorta long-term.
This quiets a lot of rumors about LaPorta potentially being moved by Tuesday’s trade deadline, especially since he’s set to be a free agent following the season and his contract dispute has been heavily publicized in recent weeks.
It all started with LaPorta’s appearance on Barstool’s Pardon My Take, where he may have been just a little too honest about his contract situation, stating that he’s going to be fine whether he re-signs with Detroit or ends up wearing another jersey next season.
It’s a business after all.
Sam LaPorta can finally just focus on ball
The bluntness of LaPorta’s contract statement on the podcast went viral and rubbed some people the wrong way as they took it as “I’m OK with leaving” when he’s actually stated several times that he would like to get a deal done.
Right now, however, he just needs to focus on himself and this season. The contract discussion hasn’t been a distraction for the team, according to Dan Campbell, but he has just eight catches for 83 yards over the past three games, after a red-hot start to the season had him looking like an All-Pro tight end once again.
Detroit shooting down offers for LaPorta at the deadline with the intention of signing him long-term should give the fourth-year tight end from Iowa some much-needed confidence.
It seems as if the Lions want LaPorta to be their tight end for a long time.
Brad Holmes just needs to get a deal done.
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