It often feels like an excuse, as other teams of the Detroit Lions' ilk have similar concerns but still make notable moves. But general manager Brad Holmes consistently talks about the financial constraints he's under, due to an ongoing pipeline of notable homegrown players who have proven worthy of big second contracts.
Soon, as in this offseason perhaps, running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell are in line to become the highest-paid players at their positions. But as has happened with players Holmes did not draft but were important to the Lions' rise, there may come a point where "you can't pay everyone."
The Lions could face a tough decision with safety Brian Branch. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report led off his list of contract extensions that teams would be smart to avoid. For the Lions, it's Branch.
"Branch, a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate and Pro Bowler in his second season, suffered a potential career-altering Achilles rupture late in the 2025 campaign," writes Kay.
"Fitting in an extension for Branch—estimated by Spotrac to ring up at $20 million per year—while also keeping enough flexibility to re-up critical talents like Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell will be difficult."
Lions urged to press the pause button on a notable upcoming extension decision
During a recent interview on the Lions Collective podcast, general manager Brad Holmes expressed optimism that Branch will make a full recovery. As Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network acknowledged, advancements in surgical procedures have led to faster recovery times from Achilles tears.
Still, Branch is sure to miss some games to start next season, and how he'll look upon his return to action is an obvious question. His general inability to avoid drawing the ire of the league office for on-field infractions (15 fines in three seasons) is another layer to the situation when it comes to a contract extension.
Despite him entering the final year of his rookie contract, with no fifth-year option as a placeholder since he was a second-round pick, the Lions should be in no rush to sign Branch to a notable contract extension. He has to show he's healthy after a significant injury, and prove he can avoid losing money to fines for repeated similar infractions, before that should be done with any confidence.
If Holmes and the Lions are going to draw that "can't pay everyone" line somewhere when it comes to notable second contracts, it could leave Branch's future with the team in question.