Lions Could Pivot to Brian Branch After Latest Sam LaPorta Contract News
The Detroit Lions could be facing a difficult decision regarding two of their young defensive and offensive stars.
Contract talks between the Lions and tight end Sam LaPorta have reportedly stalled, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. While that does not necessarily mean LaPorta is headed out of Detroit, the development could influence how the organization approaches its next major extension.
One player who could benefit from the situation is safety Brian Branch.
The Lions have made it a priority to reward players they drafted and developed into important pieces of the team. However, eventually, the club could reach the point where it has to decide which players deserve the biggest investments.
Both LaPorta and Branch have established themselves as important parts of their respective units, making any potential decision particularly difficult.
Why Brian Branch could become the priority
Detroit’s defense has plenty of reasons to keep its young talent together, especially with uncertainty surrounding the future of safety Kerby Joseph.
Branch has become an important piece of the secondary, and securing his future could give the Lions some stability at a position that remains a major focus.
LaPorta, meanwhile, remains an important part of the offense and has shown that he can be a dangerous receiving option at tight end.
The financial side could ultimately make the decision even more complicated.
Packers tight end Tucker Kraft recently agreed to a four-year extension worth $75 million, while other young tight ends have also landed significant contracts. LaPorta could be looking for a deal in that range as he enters negotiations with Detroit.
Spotrac currently projects LaPorta’s market value at around $17.8 million per year, while Branch’s projected value is around $20 million annually.
Paying both players at or above those figures could become extremely expensive, particularly as the Lions continue working to keep their roster competitive.
Branch’s return from an Achilles injury will also be something the organization will monitor closely.
For now, there is no indication that the Lions have chosen between the two players. But if negotiations with LaPorta remain stalled, Detroit could increasingly turn its attention toward securing Branch’s future.
The Lions have repeatedly shown they want to keep their core together. The question now is whether they can afford to keep everyone.
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Brian Branch could become a bigger contract priority for the Lions if negotiations with Sam LaPorta remain stalled.
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