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.
Barring a significant breakthrough, LaPorta is set to be a free agent in 2027 and would become one of the top free agents regardless of position. Detroit would have the franchise tag available.
The Lions continue to negotiate deals in-season, and there is a chance they make another attempt at a deal that would make LaPorta one of the NFL's highest-paid tight ends.
But after LaPorta overcame back surgery and showed that he is 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.
Through three games and playing about 90% of Detroit's offensive snaps, LaPorta has 14 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown while blocking at a high level. Tight ends in their prime almost never get to the free agent market, and LaPorta would be a rarity.
With LaPorta wanting to fully focus on the field, the sides decided that any new contract would wait until the offseason after a push Friday and Saturday did not result in a deal.
LaPorta had hoped to be the second star tight end to land a new deal in the last couple of months after Tucker Kraft and the Green Bay Packers agreed to a four-year, $75 million contract prior to the season.
But LaPorta, who like Kraft is represented by agent Jack Bechta, and the Lions were not able to come to terms.
LaPorta, 25, was a second-round draft selection in 2023 and burst onto the scene as a rookie, hauling in 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and second-team All-Pro nod. He had a solid second season in 2024 but missed the final eight games of the 2025 season because of a fully herniated disk that required surgery.
The Lions have signed several of their star players to lucrative long-term extensions over the past two years, including Jahmyr Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Kerby Joseph.