By Moses Joshua 
Detroit eyes a bigger role for Isaac TeSlaa as the offense adapts and the playoff stakes rise.
A Rookie Earning Trust, Snap by Snap
The Detroit Lions knew Isaac TeSlaa was a long-term investment when they traded three draft picks to move up for him. Now, as the schedule tightens and injuries reshape the depth chart, the team is quietly opening the door for the rookie wideout to take on a larger role.
Though TeSlaa entered the league with eye-catching physical tools — 6-foot-3 size paired with true vertical speed — the Lions have taken a patient approach with his development. Working primarily as the fourth receiver, he flashed early with two highlight-reel grabs but saw limited targets through most of the season.
That slow burn may finally be heating up.
Opportunity Rising as Packages Shift
The Lions’ offensive structure changed dramatically after Sam LaPorta was ruled out for the season. Without their star tight end, Detroit has leaned away from two-tight-end formations and expanded its receiver usage. The result: TeSlaa’s snap count has climbed noticeably over the past three weeks — 20 against Washington, 20 against Philadelphia and 28 in the win over New York.
The increased workload hasn’t translated into volume yet — TeSlaa has just four catches on the season — but the coaching staff sees these reps as a sign of steady progress.
Head coach Dan Campbell made the organization’s position clear.
“We like where TeSlaa’s at. He’s had a ton of growth… We love the clay. We love to be able to mold that clay,” Campbell said. “He’s gotten better and better and better… I do believe it’s going to come. I do believe he’ll get an uptick in production.”
For a rookie who entered the league raw, that endorsement matters. And Campbell’s expectation of a “little bit more” usage hints at an upcoming expansion of responsibility.
Building Chemistry With Goff
Production for any receiver starts with trust from the quarterback, and Jared Goff has seen enough to feel the rookie is trending upward.
“We keep building… He’s getting better and better each week, and some of the rookie mistakes are starting to fade away,” Goff said Tuesday.
That trust will be critical as Detroit moves deeper into a playoff push. With defenses increasingly focused on Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams’ speed, and Kalif Raymond’s versatility, TeSlaa could become a valuable counterpunch — especially in red-zone and intermediate-route situations where his frame and acceleration shine.
Teammates See a Breakout Coming
Inside the locker room, the confidence in the rookie is growing just as quickly as his snap totals. St. Brown, the engine of Detroit’s passing game, sees a young player doing all the right things.
“TeSlaa’s been great… He’s blocking hard… he’s smart. He’s physical, he’s fast, he can run,” St. Brown said. “Whatever his role is… he’s gonna be just fine.”
That kind of endorsement from a team leader speaks volumes. TeSlaa may still be buried on the depth chart, but he’s rising — and his teammates know it.
A Quiet Rookie Year Could Still Become a Crucial One
Detroit doesn’t need Isaac TeSlaa to be a star overnight. What they need is a fourth receiver who can execute, win situational matchups and allow the offense to stay unpredictable despite injuries.
If Campbell and Goff are right, TeSlaa is on the brink of becoming exactly that.
As the Lions enter their most important stretch of the season, the rookie’s steady rise might be one of the under-the-radar developments that ultimately determines how far Detroit can go.