The Detroit Lions have assembled one of the best rosters in the NFL, with a young core that can be the nucleus of a perennial Super Bowl contender for years to come. However, it’s going to get much costlier to keep them based on some early projections for contract extensions.
ESPN‘s Dan Graziano weighed in on the futures of stars Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch. While it will be difficult to sign all four high-end starters to exension, he laid out a path for it.
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Regarding Gibbs, who is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection, Graziano thinks the young running back will push for a multiyear deal worth around $20 million per season. When all is said and done, the NFL reporter projected a four-year, $80 million contract for Gibbs with $30 million fully guaranteed.
One scenario the NFL insider believes could unfold for Detroit is using the threat of the franchise tag as leverage in contract negotiations with Branch and LaPorta. Because the franchise tag values at safety and tight end are much lower than at other positions, using the tag on one of them is a viable option.
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Graziano’s projections do have LaPorta valued at a four-year deal worth $68 million total, a $17 million average annual value with $24 million guaranteed at signing. As for Branch, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles, it would be in the ballpark of a three-year extension for $66 million with $28 million guaranteed.
Of the four players, the franchise tag is least likely to be used on Campbell. Because all linebackers fall under the same tag, he would make more than $27 million fully guaranteed in 2028 if playing under the tag. Notably, for all four starters to be extended, Detroit would need to follow its pattern of low “at-signing” guarantees with option bonus structures, similar to what Aidan Hutchinson received.
