Up next in 10
Sam LaPorta’s contract case, Detroit’s early-season checks, and Michigan’s upset path
Oct 22, 2026
Sam LaPorta’s contract situation takes center stage as the Lions tight end is framed as one of Detroit’s most valuable pieces and a valid candidate for a new deal. The rundown also hits the Red Wings’ uneven start, the Pistons’ encouraging opening win, and why Michigan needs a statement upset over Indiana to reset the season.
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Ooh, Sam Laporta is getting a little spicy
0:06
I'm Dustin Fiocca with Detroit Sports Nation. It is time for your daily rundown on this Thursday
0:12
Now let's talk some Lions. Sam Laporta in particular, want to talk about him because he adds his name to the list
0:21
And it's a long list over the last several months of Detroit players who are a little
0:26
frustrated, little being kind of a generous word. We'll just say frustrated with Detroit management
0:33
Dylan Larkin, the last several months, he has been very upset with the fact that he's
0:38
not traded out of Detroit. Jalen Durant, after dropping his trousers and showing his rooty tooty booty during the
0:45
postseason, he demands a big bag and he kind of handles it immaturely when he didn't get
0:51
it up front from the Pistons. Now we've got Sam Laporta getting a little spicy
0:57
We've got the article on his comments, but he's made it very clear
1:01
He is upset that all of his friends, all of his colleagues, all of his teammates are getting bags
1:07
Sam Laporta has yet to be locked in for Detroit. We've got his comments, so make sure you're checking out those articles
1:13
But out of all the players I just listed, Dylan Larkin, who can't get his team to the postseason
1:19
Jalen Dern, who was a bum during the postseason. Of all the Detroit players over this past year who have had gripes with Detroit management, perhaps Sam Laporta gives us the most valid case
1:32
Sam Laporta he is the anchor to this Lions offense He is all reliable Mr Golden Hands if it touches his hands it is as good as gold He is one of the most reliable pieces on this Lions offense
1:44
And how long have we waited for a tight end like him? We've gone through tight end after tight end here in Detroit for decades
1:51
trying to find the right guys. Ebron, Hawkinson. Finally, we got the right guy with Sam Laporta
1:57
and he's not locked in long term with this Detroit team. and we knew this kind of issue was going to come up sooner or later because Brad Holmes has been
2:05
giving bags to everybody and Sam Laporta naturally is seeing all of his friends, all of his teammates
2:10
get those bags. The rest of the offense, St. Brown, the running game, Jameer Gibbs, key pieces on this
2:17
defense. All of the stars for the Lions have been getting locked in. Jared Goff, of course, one of
2:22
them as well. But Sam Laporta, he falls into that category. We've been saying it for a while now
2:27
You can't pay everybody. Is Sam Laporta going to be the odd man out
2:32
I personally would have rather it been Jamo, but we locked him in. I'm very surprised this team didn't lock in Sam Laporta long term
2:40
It looks like that may not be a long term fix for Sam Laporta being here
2:44
Again, check out his comments. He says he'll go play elsewhere if the Lions don't want to pony up
2:50
But it is a very interesting case because he has been one of the most critical pieces on this Lions offense
2:55
I think of everybody in Detroit that has demanded either money or a trade
3:01
Sam Laporta has given the most to his team. He has been a reliable, critical piece of this Lions offense
3:07
I think he deserves the bag. I hope he eventually gets it here in Detroit But he has voiced his displeasure in the fact that he is yet to get one Now we got some games coming up this week
3:19
We've got Red Wings. We've got Pistons. Pistons looking to make it 2-0 on the season
3:25
Red Wings, they just had an overtime loss the other night to Seattle
3:29
That was after they trailed 3-0, coming back to at least get a point in the affair
3:34
And it's two early starts to the season. Red Wings, we've seen a larger sample size
3:38
I think right now they're maybe middle of the pack, a little below average in the league
3:43
which is to be expected. They started off miserably, but I want to see them string together some wins in October
3:50
to close out this month. Maybe give us that sense of the fact that they could challenge for the postseason
3:56
Meanwhile, Pistons, what a way to start off their season. A big win against the Celtics
4:01
They take the court again tomorrow. Would love to see this Pistons team start off 2-0
4:05
They started off amazing with that comeback win against Boston. I'm hoping momentum continues
4:12
I want to see big things out of the Pistons moving forward. And let's talk about how we enter the weekend
4:17
We talked about heading into the weekend. But now I want to talk about what's going to be taking place on Saturday
4:22
specifically for Michigan football, where I want to see not just a healthy dosage at this point
4:28
but exclusively Tommy Carr as the QB. and you are going to need him when you play number six, Indiana. I said it after the loss to Iowa
4:38
You want to get me to buy back into this team? You need to beat a Big Ten team that is a legitimate
4:44
powerhouse on Ohio State on Indiana Guess what You playing Indiana on Saturday a ranked team Now Michigan you come out and ball out with Tommy Carr that all you can ask for Asking for a win is a little bit excessive
4:59
I'm not going to rule it out, though. I'd like to see Michigan come away with this upset victory
5:04
I think if they get it, they get back into the rankings. But Michigan's defense is capable of keeping you in every single game this year
5:12
They are a top-tier defense. Michigan had some offensive magic when Tommy Carr came in in the second half against Penn State
5:19
We see him in the first half. You see him for the entire game. Who knows what can happen
5:24
But if it's the Tommy Carr show and he can somehow spark this Michigan team to a win
5:30
I think we can start getting excited about Michigan football again moving forward
5:35
We've all sold on Bryce Underwood collectively, I think. I think it's safe to say the Bryce train is done
5:40
Aside from boosters, I don't know if anybody, including coaching, wants to see Bryce Underwood in that starting role again
5:47
But Tommy Carr, right now you have got it all stacked against you
5:51
We paid Underwood the bag to be the guy. He's proved he's not the guy
5:55
Now is your chance to come in as the backup, now the starter, be the guy
6:01
Your leash is not going to be as short as Underwood, but we are all behind you as fans
6:06
I want to see Tommy Carr go out there, steal a win for the Wolverines
6:10
Give us some hope for the rest of this college football season
6:15
Those are my thoughts. Want to hear from you guys. Make sure you're liking, sharing, and dropping those opinions in the comments
6:20
Also encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter. I'm Dustin Fiocco. It's been your Daily Rundown here on Detroit Sports Nation
Sports