For better or worse, the Detroit Lions are firmly committed to retaining players they've drafted and have proven themselves to be core players.
The well of notable contract extensions is beginning to dry up though, with two remaining members of the excellent 2023 draft class (Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch) lined up for new deals and no one coming behind them from the 2024 class.
With that, the lingering excuse from general manager Brad Holmes when it comes to moves to add talent from outside the organization will go away.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since roster cuts, Holmes talked about the contract extension situations with LaPorta and Branch as they each enter the final year of their rookie contract.
"Those other two, we still want to keep those guys around. Those plans haven’t changed,” Holmes said. “There’s a couple factors that we’ve still got to sort through, but in terms of us wanting those guys around, absolutely. Hopefully we can get that done.”
When it comes down to it, it's not realistic to have players who are among the highest-paid at their position at something close to every position. With LaPorta and Branch poised to join that tier at tight end and safety respectively, the Lions would then have one of the highest-paid players in the NFL at running back, offensive tackle, edge rusher, off-ball linebacker, safety (times two), quarterback and tight end.
Of course those big contracts are on different timetables for big cap hits and such. But if Amon-Ra St. Brown's contract wasn't aging so well, as he's now outside the top-10 wide receivers based on annual average, the Lions would be in quite a predicament.
Lions may still have to choose who not to pay (and it feels obvious who it'll be)
At some point, someone will likely be left out when it comes to who the Lions decide to pony up and pay long-term. In a look at contract extension situations around the league, with fortuitous timing on the same day Holmes said something on the matter(s), ESPN's Jeremy Fowler of course included Branch and LaPorta.
"The Lions have committed more than $1 billion to a bevy of star players, and two more players who fit that mold are up for deals. As it stands, neither is poised to sign before Week 1."
"Branch is starting the year on the reserve/physically unable to perform list due to last year's Achilles tear, but he is a top-five safety when healthy. LaPorta returned from injury, and this could be a case where an in-season deal makes the most sense. Like Branch, LaPorta has a case as a top-five player at his position."
"Expect Detroit to make efforts to keep both. It might just take a while."
READ MORE: Lions can rise up latest power rankings behind major Amon-Ra St. Brown achievement
The Lions surely want to see what Branch looks like coming off last December's torn Achilles before making a long-term commitment to him. There's also the added layer of a bunch of fineable on-field transgressions during his career, some of which (helmet-to-helmet hits, hip-drop tackles, etc.) can now trigger an automatic one-game suspension with three occurrences in a season.
Holmes was necessarily vague when he cited "a couple factors to sort through" regarding extensions for LaPorta and Branch. Those factors could be anything, and go beyond sheer finances with all the related tentacles of that.
But the line on who to pay or not, such as it even exists in the Lions' front office, is hiding in plain sight for everyone else to see.
Holmes may want to pay every one of his best draft picks until he has squeezed all the juice from that orange. But the decision on who not to make one of the highest-paid players at his position with a second contract is becoming a layup even he can't turn down.
Coming off a major injury where he may not be quite himself at all this season is one thing. Then let's add new consequences to impact, and potentially really curb, a playing style that makes him so good.
Making Branch one of the, say, five highest-paid safeties in the NFL anytime soon would be a foolish decision, and it's possible it never makes sense.
Add us as a preferred source on Google