DETROIT – Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa opened up about his development, chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff, and standout rookie season during a recent appearance on “Good Morning Football.”
TeSlaa, who turned heads with multiple highlight-reel catches during organized team activities, said his acrobatic catching ability traces back to a daily routine with his father.
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“Me and my dad would do this routine,” TeSlaa said. “Every single day, we had like a 30-minute to an hour routine of me just catching different balls.”
The drills included stationary catches, off-angle throws, and one-handed repetitions designed to simulate difficult in-game situations.
“I think that really just contributed, like all those repetitions of me just getting catches off balance,” TeSlaa said. “It led to me being able to do it in big moments like that.”
Learning from Lions’ elite receiver room
TeSlaa also praised the Lions’ wide receiver room, which includes veteran Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, calling it a “blessing” to learn from established playmakers.
“Just to be able to be in his shadow now and be able to learn from him and obviously J-Mo, it’s just an incredible room to be a part of,” he said.
As a rookie last season, TeSlaa said adjusting to the NFL required time and patience as he learned the playbook and built trust within the offense.
“Just being around all these guys that I knew, but they didn’t know me, I was just trying to find my role,” TeSlaa said.
Timing, trust key to historic touchdown rate
TeSlaa finished his rookie season with 16 receptions and six touchdowns, a high touchdown rate he credited to timing and trust with Goff.
“Everything just comes down to timing and trust,” TeSlaa said. “If I can be where I’m supposed to be when he thinks I’m going to be there, that’s the biggest thing to JG.”
TeSlaa added that he has his sights set on an expanded role heading into the upcoming season.
“I have bigger goals than that this upcoming season,” TeSlaa said.
Eyes on a higher standard in Detroit
TeSlaa also reflected on the team’s expectations under coach Dan Campbell following a disappointing finish last season.
“Everyone in the room knows that our standard is better than what we put on film last year,” TeSlaa said.
He said offseason practices have focused on detail and installing new offensive concepts while building momentum toward training camp.
TeSlaa also addressed his viral rookie dinner story, recalling a restaurant bill that briefly appeared to reach $41,000 before being reduced significantly.
“We were very relieved,” TeSlaa said.
The wide receiver also touched on his nickname, “Vanillatron,” a nod to former Lions star Megatron (Calvin Johnson), and said he fully embraces the comparison.
“I’ll take that, and I’ll run with it for sure,” TeSlaa said.
Ford sponsorship
TeSlaa joked about his name drawing attention, while clarifying he has no ties to Tesla and instead embraces a sponsorship with Ford.
TeSlaa, whose last name is often associated with the electric vehicle company Tesla, addressed the recurring question.
“The first thing that everyone asks me is like, ‘Do you drive a Tesla?’ I’m like, ‘No, I don’t drive a Tesla,’” TeSlaa said.
He added that he has not had any connection with the company and questioned the need for additional marketing given its visibility.
“I don’t know how much marketing they do outside of, everyone knows who Elon Musk is,” TeSlaa said. “Everyone knows what a Tesla is.”
TeSlaa said he was more excited about a sponsorship opportunity with Ford, which has ties to the Lions organization.
“I’m a Ford guy,” TeSlaa said. “They never reached out, but I was excited when Ford did.”
TeSlaa said the partnership was meaningful because of Ford’s connection to the team and the city of Detroit.
“Obviously, to be sponsored by the company that owns my team was pretty cool,” TeSlaa said.