Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell isn’t interested in turning Sam LaPorta’s contract frustration into a bigger issue.
Campbell addressed the tight end’s viral comments Friday morning for the first time since LaPorta appeared on the “Pardon My Take” podcast and voiced his disappointment that he still doesn’t have a contract extension. Talks between the sides reportedly broke off a few weeks ago, and LaPorta made it clear on the show that the situation had him bothered.
“I think the combination of getting your heartstrings twisted as well as the violent sport we play-it sucks,” LaPorta said. “It’s disappointing that you go out there every week and you bear the risk of getting hurt.
Like last year, whatever it was, Week 9, Week 10, I break my fucking back for this team. And then I’m going out there this year, and I’m ballin’, and maybe they’re just not showing the love.”
Campbell’s response was measured and direct: he knows LaPorta, he trusts him, and he doesn’t see the comments as something that changes anything inside the building.
“I know what it may appear like. I know Sam.
We all know Sam. Honestly, I don’t even think twice about those comments, because I know what he’s about, man,” Campbell said.
“And we’re all good here. And we’re not going to let this be a distraction.
He’s not. We’re not.
We’re all good.”
That was the theme from Campbell all morning. He acknowledged that situations like this can spill into the season from the outside, but he said the Lions aren’t treating it that way.
“On the outside world, it’s a distraction. In this building, it’s not,” Campbell said.
“This kid’s locked in. He’s been locked in all year.
He was locked in when he came in on Tuesday. He was locked in Wednesday, I mean Thursday.
He was locked in today. So he’s ready to play, and we’re ready to use him.
He’s a hell of a football player.”
LaPorta’s production helps explain why the topic has gained so much attention. He is on pace for career-best numbers, sitting fifth among tight ends in receiving yards with 316 and t-fifth in touchdowns, even though he has played one fewer game than most tight ends.
Campbell also framed LaPorta’s remarks as the kind of thing that can come out after a buildup of frustration, not as a reflection of who he is.
“Look, I’ve said things that I regret-rarely, but sometimes it happens,” Campbell joked. “Sometimes you get into these spots, and you’re in a setting that feels a little bit more whatever.
But it’s all good. That doesn’t mean that’s who the person is.
You say something-sometimes you get something off your chest. But we picked the guys we picked for a reason, because we know their character, and we know what they’re about deep down.
So, listen, man, Sam’s a stud. And he’s going to help us win games, and he’s an unselfish teammate, an unselfish player.
Listen, sometimes things happen, things get said. It’s all good, man.
“You can never take anything personal when you start talking business. That’s why business and football, they don’t belong with each other, but it’s the world we’re in, and it makes the world go around for all of us.”
By the end of the exchange, Campbell had made his point and made it plain he was done revisiting it.
When asked if he thinks LaPorta regrets the comments, Campbell shut it down.
“I’ve answered this I don’t know how many times. I said I didn’t want it to be a distraction, and now it’s becoming one, because you keep asking these things. That’s why.”
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