Dan Campbell Responds to Sam LaPorta's Explosive Comments About Lions Contract Talks

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell defended Sam LaPorta after the star tight end said he would consider playing elsewhere next season amid stalled extension negotiations.

Campbell told reporters LaPorta is "locked in" despite his comments ahead of the Lions' upcoming Week 7 matchup against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.

"Look, I've said things that I regret... that doesn't mean that's who the person is," Campbell said Friday. "You say something, it's— sometimes you get something off your chest. But we pick the guys we pick for a reason, because we know their character, and we know that they're about deep down.

"Sam's a stud, alright? And he's going to help us win games. And he really is, he's an unselfish teammate, an unselfish player."

LaPorta said in a recent appearance on Pardon My Take he would "go get paid somewhere else" if he and the Lions weren't able to reach resolution on an extension.

"I break my f--king back for the team, and then I'm going out there this year, and I'm balling, and maybe they're just not showing the love," LaPorta said.

LaPorta underwent surgery on a herniated disc in his back last November. He has made 37 catches for 316 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first five games back since the procedure.

Campbell said LaPorta's comments hadn't been a "distraction" in the Lions locker room since the podcast aired.

"You can never take anything personal when you start talking about business. That's why business and football, they don't belong with each other," Campbell said.

Campbell then showed frustration after more questions regarding LaPorta, at which point he told a reporter, "I said I didn't want it to be a distraction, and now it's becoming one, because you keep asking these things."

LaPorta is playing the season in the final year of his rookie deal. ESPN and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier this month he and the Lions had paused contract talks.

The Lions do not have a policy again in-season contract talks, but Rapoport noted at the time "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."

The tight end market is currently led by the San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle, Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride and Green Bay Packers' Tucker Kraft who each make in the neighborhood of $19 million per season. Rapoport previously reported he could see LaPorta potentially resetting the positional market when he signs his next deal.