General Manager Brad Holmes has made it crystal clear: he wants to keep key players “around for a long time” in Detroit. We’re talking about the Lions’ 2023 draft class, and two of its biggest names, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, are still waiting on their long-term deals. While Jack Campbell inked a sweet four-year, $81 million extension, and Jahmyr Gibbs locked down his future with a three-year, $67.5 million pact, the clock’s ticking on LaPorta, their dynamic tight end, and Branch, a critical piece in the defensive backfield. You gotta wonder what’s holding things up, especially with other guys already signed, sealed, and delivered.
Holmes’s Long-Term Vision and the Deals Already Done
Holmes, talking Wednesday, didn’t shy away from the situation. “We still want to keep those guys around; those plans haven’t changed,” he said, via Richard Silva of The Detroit News. That’s a good sign, right? The commitment is there, showing Holmes isn’t backing off his desire to retain talent. He wants his core guys to stick around, making sure the team’s future is solid. With Campbell and Gibbs already secured with hefty multi-year deals , $81 million for Campbell and $67.5 million for Gibbs , it’s obvious the Lions are willing to pay up for their top talent. LaPorta and Branch are two of the four remaining members from that 2023 draft class still with the team, so it’s only natural they’d be next in line.
The Injury Factor Hanging Over Negotiations
But then Holmes also hinted at some “factors that we’ve still got to sort through.” And when you look at LaPorta and Branch, it’s pretty obvious what one of those big factors is. Both guys saw their 2025 seasons cut short by injury, and that’s never an easy conversation point when you’re talking big money and long-term commitments. Branch, a defensive back who’s vital to that secondary, is battling back from an Achilles injury. It’s serious enough that he’s gonna miss at least the first four games this season, starting on the reserve/PUP list. That’s a huge blow to start the year! On the flip side, LaPorta, who battled a back injury, was fully cleared before training camp even started. So while one guy is ready to roll, the other is stuck watching from the sidelines. How does that play into contract talks? It’s gotta be a major part of those “factors” Holmes mentioned.
A Track Record of Getting It Done
Here’s the thing though: Holmes has a track record of getting these deals done. Since he took over in 2021, this guy has signed *nine* of his draft picks to multi-year extensions. We’ve seen massive commitments, over a billion dollars in total contract value, going out to guys like Jared Goff, Campbell, Gibbs, Derrick Barnes, Kerby Joseph, Aidan Hutchinson, and Alim McNeill. He gets these deals done. He clearly values stability and continuity, especially with his own draft picks. So the desire is there, the history is there, and the money has certainly been flowing.
So what’s next for Detroit? You know they want these guys locked up. With LaPorta healthy and ready to dominate this season, and Branch working his way back to join the squad, getting these deals done feels like the next big hurdle for the front office. Hopefully, they can secure both of them for the long haul, because having cornerstone guys like that makes all the difference when you’re building a contender. We’ll be watching how this plays out for sure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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