The Detroit Lions have deferred nearly everything toward having notable contract business to do, but that contract well is near the bottom as we look ahead to the next couple years. Two remaining members of the touted 2023 draft class, second-round picks Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, are entering the final year of their rookie contracts.
There will come a point, despite general manager Brad Holmes insistence on doing so, where paying everyone the Lions want to can't happen. Having at least one of the highest-paid players in the league at basically every position other than center, guard and cornerback just isn't viable. Not to mention how it leaves room for little in terms of any moves to add talent that isn't homegrown.
Pending new contracts, when or if they happen, Branch and LaPorta of course appear in a ranking of the 10 best 2027 free agents heading into the 2026 season from Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox, at No. 10 and No. 8 respectively.
Brian Branch contract extension projection assumes best possible outcome in return from injury
Branch will open the season on the PUP list as he works his way back from his torn Achilles last December, which means he'll miss at least the first four games of the season. An exact return date is unclear, if it's even really known internally right now.
That makes waiting to sign him to a contract extension easily the best move for the Lions, Based on what we've seen with other Achilles tears, it's possible Branch is not totally himself at all this season.
Knox's analysis of Branch's situation, and the related contract projection, essentially assumes he is in peak form immediately upon his return.
"If Branch is back to pre-injury form this season, the 24-year-old should earn a contract that approaches the top of the market—which Kyle Hamilton currently tops with an average salary of $25.1 million. In 43 career games, Branch has logged seven interceptions, 4.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles while allowing an opposing passer rating of only 80.4 in coverage."
"Projected Contract Value: Four Years, $80 Million"
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$20 million a year would make Branch the fifth-highest paid safety in the NFL as things sit right now. It also aligns with Spotrac's currrent projection of his market value.
Of course Branch's position mate Kerby Joseph is No. 3 on that list of the highest-paid safeties, which would have the Lions devoting a whole lot of money to one position. And that doesn't account for the general current murkiness of each guy's injury situation.
Without the Achilles tear, Branch might already have a contract extension in-hand. But it's an unavoidable layer to the equation, and the Lions have to exercise patience where they generally haven't when it comes to contract extensions.
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