​Sam LaPorta’s third season with the Detroit Lions was cut short after nine games due to a back injury, interrupting a rapid path back toward the form that earned him a Pro Bowl berth in a record-setting rookie year in 2023. The question many are asking is whether LaPorta can reclaim that elite level of play, and CBS Sports believes it is within reach, listing him among 10 players positioned for a surge in production.
Last season, LaPorta’s time on the field was severely limited by a back issue that struck in Week 10, resulting in a torn or herniated disc that prematurely ended his year. When the injury sidelined him, he had accumulated 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers stand in stark contrast to his extraordinary rookie campaign in 2023, when he broke an NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end, finishing with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns after being selected in the second round out of Iowa. The dramatic leap from that rookie year to the following seasons highlighted how quickly LaPorta had become a central figure in Detroit’s passing attack, and how a back ailment can derail a promising trajectory.
CBS Sports’ analysis notes a downward trend in LaPorta’s production after his breakout rookie season, a pattern that has drawn scrutiny and highlighted the potential for a rebound. The report points out that last season’s eight-game absence and the 40-catch, 489-yard, three-touchdown stat line mark a significant step back, even as the entire Detroit offense faced challenges. The article suggests that a revitalization could come with the new offensive architecture under Drew Petzing, the Lions’ offensive coordinator, who was brought in to help retool Detroit’s approach in the passing game.
Petzing’s hiring is a notable development in the context of LaPorta’s potential resurgence. Petzing, who spent time as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator and has roots dating to Cleveland, is known for employing versatile personnel packages and for emphasizing a balanced attack that can leverage multiple receiving options. In particular, Petzing’s tendencies with 13 personnel usage—the alignment featuring one running back and three tight ends—stood out during his tenure with Arizona. TruMedia’s data show that Petzing’s Cardinals leaned into this formation more than any other team in the NFL from 2023 through 2025, at a rate of 12.5%. Such a scheme could create more opportunities for LaPorta to exploit mismatches in the passing game, particularly in scenarios that put him in favorable routes against linebackers and safeties.
The optimism around LaPorta’s prospects is tempered by prudence about what it takes to return to Pro Bowl form after an injury and a year of limited action. Rebuilding the timing and chemistry with a new quarterback or a retooled offense can be a delicate process. Yet the fit seems plausible: a tight end who can run clean routes, convert short and intermediate targets into steady gains, and contribute in the red zone has always been valuable in a modern NFL offense. If LaPorta can regain his pre-injury explosiveness, and if Petzing’s scheme translates into increased volume and more high-leverage opportunities for him, there’s a credible pathway for him to reestablish himself as a top-tier tight end.
Another factor highlighted by Edwards is the broader context of Detroit’s offense, including the absence of Ben Johnson, who previously served as the offensive coordinator. Johnson’s departure to become the Chicago Bears’ head coach marked a shift in the offensive leadership, and how the Lions adapt under Petzing will influence not only LaPorta but the entire passing attack. The article notes that LaPorta’s revival could be tied to how well Petzing can maximize the tight end’s skill set within the larger framework of the offense, leveraging the versatility of 13 personnel and the potential for more two-tight-end or multiple-TE looks.
Beyond LaPorta, Edwards mentions another Lions player who could benefit from a rebound season: defensive tackle Alim McNeill. McNeill had worked his way back from a torn ACL in his right knee and appeared in 10 games last season. Like LaPorta, his health and availability have been a recurring concern early in his career. If McNeill returns to form and stays healthy, he could play a pivotal role in stabilizing Detroit’s defense, which in turn could provide more opportunities for the offense to sustain drives and keep opponents off balance.
In sum, the expectation around Sam LaPorta hinges on a combination of factors: the ability to fully recover from the back injury, the continuity of his chemistry with the quarterback and the receiving corps, and the effectiveness of Petzing’s offensive strategy in exploiting tighter formations and diverse personnel packages. CBS Sports’ inclusion of LaPorta in a group of players poised for resurgence underscores the belief that this is a moment of opportunity rather than a final turning point. If LaPorta can recapture the form that made him a Pro Bowl-caliber player in 2023, and if the Lions’ offense can maximize his usage within Petzing’s system, a return to Pro Bowl-level production is a plausible and realistic goal for the upcoming season. This article by The Detroit News, later echoed in CBS Sports’ resurgence piece, frames the discussion around both LaPorta’s potential and the surrounding circumstances that could enable such a comeback.