The Detroit Lions appear to be right on the doorstep of a Jahmyr Gibbs extension. He is suiting up for practice, and with deals to other players coming in first, it is setting up for much easier negotiations. However, while NFL Insider Albert Breer was at Lions training camp, he noted that Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch are not nearly as close to deals on their ends.
“It’s also worth mentioning that while LaPorta and Brian Branch aren’t close to deals, both are seen as part of the Lions’ future, so each could be extended at some point soon,” wrote Breer.
Breer noted that the lack of movement is less about the Lions’ desire to make a deal, and more about the timing of everything. One of LaPorta or Branch could be next after Gibbs gets done.
Detroit Lions Are Not Close to Deals with Sam LaPorta or Brian Branch
Getty Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta.
The two have issues mostly stemming from their injury recoveries. LaPorta had a herniated disc in his back. He is back, and he is practicing even without progress on a deal. However, he has to prove that he is back to full health, which would help his movement on a deal.
The same can be said for Brian Branch. Branch tore his Achilles in December of last year. He is progressing well, but he is likely to miss a good chunk of the regular season. The team does not have a timetable for his return. So, if he does sign an extension before the season, it will be blind to how well he looks on the field.
It is fair for the Lions to be more cautious here. Both players are going to push to be the highest paid at their position as well, which adds a layer of complication.
Lions Must Work to Sign LaPorta and Branch
Right now, George Kittle and Trey McBride have the market set at $19M per year. However, Kittle is 33 years old, McBride is 27, and LaPorta is 25. On top of that, they both signed extensions years before LaPorta will, so the salary cap has risen. Kyle Pitts signed for $17.6M per year this year, so if LaPorta’s deal cannot top those two, it will certainly top Pitts.
Another factor for his deal is Tucker Kraft of the Green Bay Packers, who is doing a similar deal at the same time. The Lions benefited by waiting to see how the Atlanta Falcons worked out a deal with Bijan Robinson before negotiating with Gibbs. They might do the same with LaPorta based on Kraft.
For Branch, he is a safety, but also plays the slot, which makes it tough to pin down a specific price point. Kerby Joseph is at $21M per year, so he should beat that. Kyle Hamilton signed for $25.1M, so he might not beat that.
On the cornerback scale, DaRon Bland is making $22.5M, while Patrick Surtain II is making $24M. He could beat Joseph and Bland but is unlikely to top Surtain and Hamilton. It will be a tight needle to thread.
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