Vaitai: 'I'm Going to Help Dan Campbell Win One'

Halapoulivaati Vaitai considered retirement, but decided to return to the Lions.

Detroit Lions offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai had an opportunity to spend more time with his family and to mull over his NFL future, as he was rehabbing all last season from back surgery. 

While the thought of hanging it up was discussed with his family, the desire to return to his teammates and the thought of unfinished business certainly propelled the 29-year-old veteran to return to Detroit. 

Having an opportunity to win significant games for Lions head coach Dan Campbell was also a motivating factor. 

"I’m like, 'What am I doing? I can’t decide what to do,'" Vaitai told reporters after practice last week. "The only thing I know is football, but it was great. I got to reflect on my life and my career in the league, so it was really good and just (to) sit down with my wife and just talk over a lot of things."

Vaitai agreed to take a significant paycut of more than $6 million, and his reworked deal is heavily based on incentives that can be earned this year. 

When asked, Detroit's potential starting right guard expressed he agreed to the Lions' request to rework his contract to stay in Detroit, to continue to play with his close friend Penei Sewell and to help mentor the younger linemen on the roster.

“I can’t leave Penei (Sewell). I can’t leave all my guys. I can’t leave them,” Vaitai said. “I love this team a lot. I’m going to help Dan (Campbell) win one.”

Detroit invested one of its draft picks in Colby Sorsdal, a player Vaitai looks forward to mentoring, just as he did with Sewell when he entered the league. 

Vaitai explained, “I’m trying to give (Sorsdal) all the things I’ve known and the knowledge I’ve known over the years, so that way I can help him. So, when his time is ready, he should be prepared.”

Vaitai is expected to compete with Graham Glasgow for the starting right guard position all throughout training camp.