Charlotte, N.C. — Before hopping on a plane to North Carolina, I quipped to colleagues that after failing to acquire cornerback Joey Porter Jr. via trade, the Detroit Lions would move quickly to extend tight end Sam LaPorta, potentially as soon as this weekend.
There was some truth in jest to that speculation. Acquiring Porter came with the likely need/desire to lock the defender up long-term. With money no longer earmarked toward the possibility, the Lions could ramp up the urgency to get LaPorta’s deal done after professing a desire to do so multiple times throughout the offseason.
As it turns out, a push was made on Friday and Saturday, according to a joint report from ESPN and the NFL Network, but talks ultimately stalled. And with that, LaPorta’s side is pausing negotiations so the player can focus on the season, with an eye turning toward hitting free agency this March.
Barring an abrupt reversal in approach, this is new territory for Detroit’s current leadership. To this stage, when they’ve wanted to get an extension done with one of their young talents, and more specifically, one they’ve drafted, the franchise has come correct.
Look at general manager Brad Holmes’ history in this department. He’s paid Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Derrick Barnes from the 2021 class, Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Kerby Joseph from the 2022 draft, and already gotten deals done with LaPorta’s classmates, Jack Campbell and Jahmyr Gibbs — both market-setting for their position — the past several months.
Now, the team is at an impasse with the next man up, and we should explore the ramifications of that news.