The Detroit Lions were able to lock down another cornerstone player of their team on Wednesday. They extended edge Aidan Hutchinson on a four-year, $180 million extension deal, with a staggering $141 million guaranteed.
The Lions have now been able to extend Hutchinson, Jared Goff, Amon Ra St. Brown, David Montgomery, Jameson Williams, Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, Alim McNeill, and Kerby Joseph. Keeping their core together is a masterclass job by general Brad Holmes and the front office, but they still have some big decisions looming.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch from the 2023 NFL draft class are the next batch of players who will soon be eligible for extensions in two months.
With a lot of money tied up, the Lions will need to decide who will get an extension and who they may need to move on from in the future as they juggle contention and having a healthy cap situation.
Lions Have Big Decisions to Make Regarding Next Batch of Extensions
Gibbs was a first-rounder, and the Lions have control through the 2027 season, so the rush to pay him may not be as urgent. And with this run-heavy offense, there's a very slim chance that he'll be going anywhere. Per Spotrac, his market value is listed at $19.2 million. Despite being a high number for a running back, the Lions will likely find a way to get that done down the line.
Meanwhile, linebacker Jack Campbell has been a mainstay in the middle of a Lions defense that has been decimated by injuries. He has suited up in all 17 games for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. This year, that has continued as Campbell played in all seven games thus far.
In addition to his ability to play each week, he's been a wrecking ball. The Iowa product has racked up 290 total tackles, 15 TFLs, 10 QB hits, seven pass deflections, and three forced fumbles. He has emerged as one of the best linebackers in the league due to his skill set, being an elite run defender, and his awareness to constantly find the ball. For a unit that has struggled to stay healthy and has a young emerging linebacker, it seems that Detroit will make it a priority to keep him around.
That now leaves the conversation between LaPorta and Branch. Who would the Lions likely keep around?
Will the Lions Extend Sam LaPorta or Brian Branch?
This is a tough decision for the Lions, as both players have been rock-solid contributors for the team. LaPorta, the 34th pick, stepped into the role of being an all-around tight end for them. He's able to be a stout blocker when needed, with the athleticism to be a real weapon in the passing game.
In 40 career games, he has reeled in 175 passes for 1,954 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns. LaPorta has developed into a force after the catch as well, making him tough to bring down in the open field.
Spotrac's estimated value for LaPorta is listed at $18.2 million. While the highest-paid tight end makes $19.1 million (George Kittle), this deal would put LaPorta right in line with the highest-paid at the position. It can't be ignored that LaPorta made the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro in 2023.
Meanwhile, Branch has become a true chess piece for the Lions. He has the versatility to line up at both safety spots while also playing some slot corner for this team. As a rookie in 2023, he played 624 slot snaps, 127 snaps in the box, and 34 reps at free safety. During the 2024 season, his usage moved around. Branch logged 329 free safety snaps, 316 slot corner snaps, and 235 snaps in the box.
And this season, he has continued to move around for two months. Branch currently has 103 box snaps, 153 free safety snaps, and 67 slot corner reps. The common denominator here is that, no matter where he lines up, he's able to produce. In 37 games with the Lions, Branch has 216 total tackles, 34 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and seven interceptions. He also made the Pro Bowl last season.
Spotrac's estimated value for the 24-year-old is listed at $20.4 million. That's a pretty penny for sure, but it could be where they lean in these negotiations. They inked Kerby Joseph to a four-year, $86 million deal that runs through the 2029 season. Having him locked down is great, but the way they structured that deal, his dead cap hit drops from $20 million in 2026 to $7 million in 2027 and $4 million in 2028.
Joseph's also been battling a knee injury for months now that has affected his play. While I'm not saying the Lions should cut Joseph just after giving him that deal, there just could be a pathway forward there. Meanwhile, Branch is a defender who wears so many different hats in that defense.
He would be a harder piece to replace than LaPorta. While LaPorta is a stud, the Lions have an eye for TE talent after previously hitting in the draft on LaPorta's predecessor, TJ Hockenson.
With a lot of major contracts already on the books, Detroit could go down that path again at tight end to part ways with LaPorta and get his replacement via free agency or a rookie pick. The odds of finding another productive tight end are higher than finding a defender who can impact the game like Branch.
No decision will come easy for this front office when the time comes, but there may be some logic to move on from LaPorta and lock down the other three players from that draft class. We are still far away from that, but the time will come sooner rather than later. And the Lions need to start thinking about it now.