The Motor City team received an encouraging update ahead of the 2026 NFL season, as the Lions are set to join training camp while preparing to undo the mistakes that cost them last season, when they finished 9-8. 

As reported by Jacob Richman of mlive.com, Detroit Lions wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery recently talked highly about their rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa and praised him for his unparalleled athleticism. 

“That gives him the ability in those one-on-one situations and not just win with length, but to win with quickness and length,” Montgomery said. “That gives, of course, (Goff) just an even bigger window to throw the football.”

Montgomery believes TeSlaa's elite footwork and speed have helped him stand out early, giving Jared Goff another reliable big target in the passing game after Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

GM Brad Holmes selected TeSlaa out of the 2025 NFL Draft as a third-round (70th overall) pick. In his rookie season, he played all 17 games for the Lions and scored six touchdowns, showing extreme red-zone efficiency. 

“He’s done a good job of going and getting the football since he’s been here, and then now at the top of his breaks, they’re so much cleaner,” Montgomery said. “He’s so much stronger.

Montgomery compared his initial days to the present and showed complete faith in his development. He highlighted that his athleticism is what makes him a weapon for Goff.

Back in 2025, he covered 239 yards (averaging 14.9 yards per catch) on 16 receptions, these stats back up the claims around the rookie WR. 

As TeSlaa prepares for the upcoming training camps, head coach Dan Campbell also praised the rookie talent and set expectations around him.

Isaac TeSlaa earns more praise from Lions coaches

WR Isaac TeSlaa’s game is not going unnoticed. 

After receiving praise from his wide receiver coach Scottie Montgomery, head coach Dan Campbell also talks highly about the rookie WR. 

“I almost wish we could have gotten TeSlaa some more touches than he did get (last year),” Campbell said. “But it wasn’t because of him, his growth took off, and he did, he got a little bit better every week, he became a guy – would tell you by the end of the year we had a lot of trust in him.”

Ahead of the training camps, Campbell praised TeSlaa’s performance in the 2025 NFL season and revealed his expectations for the rookie receiver. 

With the recent endorsements placed by the coaching staff, Isaac TeSlaa is set to participate in the training camp to show his worth at the WR position.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker