The Detroit Lions have several key extensions to hammer out in the coming weeks, but the most intriguing is safety Brian Branch. Branch’s future in Detroit has been up in the air after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg last December. With a projected price tag of $20 million per season (per Spotrac), the conversation on whether the Lions could let him walk when his contract expires at the end of this year has only gained steam.
Branch's contract situation is a hot topic, and Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press discussed it with Lions president Rod Wood on Thursday. While Branch has an uncertain return to the field entering the 2026 season, it also appears that a potential contract extension may not have to wait until he completes his comeback.
“They’re all going to be in the building soon,” Wood said, referring to Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta, who suffered a season-ending back injury and is also seeking a contract extension this offseason. “Guys start showing up next week, so once we get an assessment of how they’re doing, it doesn’t mean they have to play before we would do an extension. …These may take time because they’re big deals, not because of the injury. But we’ll look at their health and that’ll be factored into how we approach it but the plan is now to try and keep all these guys that we’ve drafted.”
Brian Branch's Injury Could Be Minor Speedbump in Lions Extension Talks
Wood’s comments are a much-needed win for Branch this offseason. The 24-year-old has been a foundational player for the Lions’ defense after being selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, logging 258 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions over his first three seasons. But his injury has created some questions about his future.
The Lions appeared to be preparing for the worst with Branch, adding Christian Izien and Chuck Clark in free agency, and the No. 17 pick could have made things really interesting with Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network comparing Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to Branch during the latest episode of the Lions Collective podcast this week.
The timing of a new contract for Branch is also unfortunate. The Lions have several key decisions to make on young players, including new deals for running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell, and LaPorta, who all came aboard in the 2023 draft class. While Gibbs and Campbell are virtual locks for new contracts, Branch and LaPorta were question marks due to their season-ending injuries a year ago.
On the surface, the Lions would have to do some serious financial gymnastics to get all four signed. But Wood also noted that Gibbs and Campbell could have their fifth-year options exercised as former first-round picks, potentially buying time to strike a deal. Detroit doesn’t have that luxury with Branch, but Wood’s comments suggest that he’s a player that the team doesn’t want to let walk out the door.
The defender also has Aidan Hutchinson’s contract as another point of security. While Hutchinson was coming off a broken tibia as he negotiated an extension last season, talks between the two sides went into the season before they agreed on a four-year, $180 million extension last October.
It’s possible the Lions could take the same approach or even reach a short-term deal to keep Branch around in 2027, allowing him to recover from his injury. But for now, it appears that any rumors about Branch leaving may be speculative, and a new deal could be coming as he continues to rehab from his injury.
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