Brian Branch
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Bleacher Report's Alex Kay argued the Detroit Lions should avoid a Brian Branch contract extension this offseason.
Another young star for the Detroit Lions is going to need a new contract soon — Brian Branch. But in this case, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay argued the Lions might be prudent to wait before inking the defensive back to a new deal.
On Thursday, Kay included Branch on a list of five contract extensions that teams “would be smart to avoid” this offseason.
“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,” Kay wrote. “The club also has a similarly tough decision to make on Sam LaPorta, the 2023 Pro Bowler who has regressed in each of the last two seasons and suffered a significant injury of his own last year.
“Rather than rush to pay Branch, Detroit would be wise to delay an extension and wait to see what he can contribute in 2026.”
Branch finished among the top five in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting during 2023. He then earned a Pro Bowl bid in 2024.
But last season was a bit rocky for Branch, and it ended in injury.
The defensive back served a 1-game suspension for hitting Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after a contest. This offseason, Branch is recovering from a ruptured right Achilles tendon he sustained in Week 14.
It’s unclear if he will be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season.
Brian Branch Recovering From Achilles Injury
Kay probably could have stopped his explanation on why the Lions should wait on extending Branch at his injury.
Achilles tears are tricky. While lots of players return from serious lower-body injuries to be just as good, some also don’t.
There’s no guarantee Branch returns as the player he was in 2023 and 2024. That makes it difficult for the Lions to negotiate a deal with the defensive back before they see how his leg responds on the field.
Branch might want to wait on his extension now too. He’s going to get more money next offseason if he returns healthy and plays at his 2024 level this fall.
“Should the 24-year-old fail to get healthy or looks to have lost a step upon his return, it could drastically impact the type of deal he’ll net on the open market,” wrote Kay.
The good news is, outside of the injury and the embarrassing suspension, Branch was putting together another very good 2025 season.
He posted strong Pro Football Focus grades across every category last season. He greatly improved at tackling, which was an area he struggled in during 2024.
Projecting Branch’s Current Contract Value
The Achilles injury makes it really difficult to determine Branch’s current value. But Spotrac currently projects the defensive back’s open market value to be $79.92 million on a 4-year deal.
Such a contract would pay Branch roughly $20 million per season.
Based on current 2026 contracts, an extension with that total value and average annual salary would place Branch fourth among safeties in both categories.
That’s a sizable commitment, especially for the Lions, who need to extend running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell. Detroit could also choose tight end Sam LaPorta over Branch although LaPorta is also recovering from a season-ending injury.
All of this points to the Lions waiting on an extension for Branch being the smarter move.