Isaac TeSlaa’s rookie season hasn’t gone the way many Detroit fans expected. The physical tools are there — size, speed, a crazy catch radius — but the production hasn’t followed yet. Through the first stretch of the season, TeSlaa has only seen a handful of targets, leaving fans wondering whether the Lions are slowly grooming him or if the rookie is simply hitting a learning curve.
Inside Allen Park, the message is clear: the Lions still believe in TeSlaa. Coaches have repeatedly said they want to get him more involved, and teammates have backed him publicly, praising his effort, attitude, and work ethic. Even through limited snaps, he’s shown flashes — the type of moments that remind everyone why Detroit drafted him in the first place.
Like many young receivers, TeSlaa is adjusting to the speed, spacing, and physicality of NFL defenses. He’s battling through mistakes, absorbing coaching, and learning how to create separation against top-tier corners every week. And instead of frustration, he’s leaning deeper into his development, treating every challenge as fuel.
Rookie years don’t define players — how they respond does. And if TeSlaa’s mentality, confidence, and locker-room support mean anything, Detroit may eventually look back at this slow start as the necessary foundation for something much bigger.
Slow Start, Big Potential: Lions Rookie Isaac TeSlaa Battles Through Growing Pains
