It's Turning UGLY.....| Detroit Lions News

Well, just when you thought things couldn't get much worse for GM Brad Holmes and the Lions here in 2026, and when that seat, it couldn't get any hotter, well, things have turned ugly right now in Allen Park as one of their star players has gone out in public expressing his frustration and his anger about the lack of a contract extension. We're going to dive into all the negative connotations and how bad of an impact it could bring to the Lions going forward this year, including the start with the game against Green Bay on Sunday. That and a whole lot more on this edition of Lions Digest. Hey, everybody, yours truly, Captain Lou here. Want to take a moment to welcome those of you that might be checking us out for the first time here to the program. And if you haven't done it yet, I invite you to hit that subscribe button. It's free. Come along on the journey with us and the Lions here in 2026. Be a part of the conversation. and all the live reaction and all the fun stuff we have yet to come this year on Lions Digest. Just when you thought it couldn't get any uglier for GM Brad Holmes and you don't think his seat could get any warmer, well, I think that temperature has gone up again as things have turned ugly for him. It was one of his star players expressing his frustration in public. Sam Laporta, you probably have heard already, he was on a podcast and he was talking about how frustrated and how angry he is right now for a lack of a contract extension for him as his contract is ending at the end of 2026. On Pardon My Take, he talked about how frustrated he was, saying about the combination of his heartstrings being twisted as well as the sport we play. It sucks that nothing has been done for me for a contract extension. Now, my first question to you is, do you feel sorry for him? Should he be airing his dirty laundry out in public? Is this the right thing to do? Is that a question that you're even concerned about? Do you think he should get his extension? Are you agreeing with him? He says, maybe they're just not showing me any love anymore. As a member of the Detroit Lions, they don't take my production level serious, and they don't think I'm good enough. Let's take a look at that 2026 production level. So far this year, 27 catches, 316 yards, three touchdowns. Now, through five games, keep that in mind. He's on pace to get 1,000 yards as a receiver for the Lions. They've got two or three receivers that are on pace to do that, he being one of them. Now, he's a vital part. The tight end position is a vital part for the Lions with new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing at the helm. He loves to keep them incorporated in that offense. Some of the other things that you can tell by the frustration level, too, with Sam Laporta. I broke my effing back last year for this team, and this is the thanks that we get. So, hear it in. The contract stalemate is going on, as mentioned. He's venting his frustration. He's not going to quit. Now, the next question that I have for you on this, is it going to show on the field? Is his production going to lessen? He says he's going to be a professional about it. He's not going to do anything. He's going to still keep that professional approach. That's what he says. But one wonders if that really is going to be able to come in play. Once you put that out there and you put the spotlight on yourself, that's when you wonder if something's going to fall off as far as production for Sam Laporta. Now, Colton Pouncey, who writes for The Athletic, he brought up a couple of really good points here. The lack of a dialogue with the extension is a bit surprising for the Lions. Now, they've done it with all their other players, and we'll talk about that here in a few moments. It is kind of surprising. And again, he also goes on to add, he has been everything the Lions had hoped for when they drafted him and more. He's battled injuries, but he's come back, and he's been the star player that the Lions were looking for. Now, one thing to remember, too, as they used to have another star tight end that they got rid of too from Iowa as well so another thing to keep an eye on for the Lions going forward so i'm going to ask you right out front here's our poll what do you think the Lions should do with Sam Laporta should you sign should they sign him to that extension right now should they get through it should they do it should they try to get the talks going again should they wait it out maybe use the franchise tag they're probably looking at about 20 million dollars is what his asking price is going to be the average of the tight ends right now is about 18 million right in the ballpark i think Tucker Kraft has gotten about 19 million now or should they let him walk and test free agency that's the big question that we have to ask you what would you do with Sam LaPorta with all this being said Sam LaPorta is part of that high-powered offense for the Lions, and so that's why I think the Lions are going to continue to roll, and with their defense being suspect, I'm going to trade yes with our brand-new partner here on CalSheet that the over is going to hit again, so I'm going to trade yes that the game is going to go over 53.5 points with the game against the Packers on Sunday, and I'm going to go again with our brand-new partner on it, CalSheet. Now, remember, with CalSheet, you're trading directly against other users not the traditional sports book you're buying yes or no contracts on the outcomes of events across sports politics or even the weather now let's go back to the game on sunday as i said over 53 and a half points i think it's got a real good opportunity to do that it's trading right about mid 51 49 whatever so right now if you trade 25 on that you're going to get $47.39 back. Now, why do I say that? Why do I say $25? Well, if you're interested in trying out CalSheet, use the link in the description below and make sure you use the promo code DIGESTNFL. And when you trade that $25 on your first trade, Calchi will put $55 back into your account instantly it's almost free money all the games this year trade on Calchi all right we talked about it Sam LaPorta looking for that extension he's pissed now especially and he's you know he's upset because all the other star players have gotten their extension Aiden Hutchinson got a nice extension one of the best offensive or defensive rushers edge rushers in the game Jameer Gibbs got his extension at the beginning of the year One of the top running backs in the NFL One of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL Jared Goff got his extension Penei Sewell, he's locked up And of course, one of our star receivers Amon Ross St. Brown He's locked up as well But remember, there's also one more player That the Lions got to think about too And that's Brian Branch When and if do they sign him to an extension? There's only so much money in the pie that goes around. So, again, let's go back to what we talked about with Sam Laporta. What do you think? I mean, in three months, if I don't get to wear the Honolulu and play for the Lions anymore, so be it. It's all going to be good. That kind of scares me a little bit. Now, he's putting the onus on the owners. He's putting the onus on GM Brad Holmes. but also the look that he shows how many of you don't like it you think he's like well i'm gonna take my ball and go home he can get his money elsewhere that's right let's see how he looks in the powder blue of the Tennessee Titans take your ball and go home so again Sam LaPorta's back injury complicates maybe complicating that extension i don't know he claims that he's feeling 100 and like we said he said he's gonna do i'm gonna continue as a pro and finally you know we asked you know he says i'll go get paid elsewhere so whatever these are some very very interesting times coming up for the Lions and Sam LaPorta the tight end so i'm gonna ask you one more time with our poll here see if i can bring it up what would you do with Sam LaPorta would you get an extension done now would you wait and use the franchise tag if needed or would you let him test free agency the strong words are out right now the battle line's been drawn Sam LaPorta threw the salvo let's see how the Lions are going to counter and what are they going to do with the next move hey don't forget join us Sunday night for our first live Captain Lou cast our live watch along right here on Lions Digest we're going to be there through the whole game Live play-by-play, live updates, live interaction from me and you. It's going to be a lot of fun. 4-15, Sunday night, Sunday afternoon, the Lions and the Packers. We're going to be there live for the whole thing. All right, that's going to do it for this edition of Lions Digest. I want to thank everybody who has subscribed to the program. The response has been off the charts, and it's all because of you, and I say thank you. All right, until next time, Captain Lou saying keep your heads up, keep your sticks down keep your feet moving and as always keep your minds open so long