Lions still considering big-picture options on extensions for Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, per report

The Detroit Lions appear to be taking a wait-and-see approach on two of their more valuable second-round pieces from the 2023 draft class. According to Pro Football Rumors, the team is not currently “close” to extensions with tight end Sam LaPorta or safety Brian Branch, putting both players on track toward free agency unless an agreement is reached before their current contracts run out.

The contrast is notable because the Lions have reportedly already checked off two other high-priority extension targets this offseason. Pro Football Rumors reported that the Lions have extended Jack Campbell and Jahmyr Gibbs, two first-round selections from that same 2023 draft class whose deals were part of Detroit’s offseason contract workflow. With Campbell and Gibbs secured, the remaining pressure points have shifted to LaPorta and Branch.

In practical terms, this means LaPorta and Branch are entering the part of the contract window where negotiations tend to intensify, and leverage becomes more pronounced for both sides. LaPorta, as the Lions’ key tight end, and Branch, as a versatile defensive back, each represent roles that can anchor weekly game planning. For a team building around continuity, keeping that core aligned on terms before the season is generally the goal, even when extension talks stretch.

Pro Football Rumors frames the current status as an “on track” scenario toward free agency for LaPorta and Branch. That does not guarantee the Lions will miss out on them, but it does suggest that Detroit and the players’ representatives have not found the common ground needed for a near-term agreement. If that continues, the early-season market dynamics could grow louder, because teams often start planning long-term while the current contracts still have clear end points.

Jahmyr Gibbs’ and Jack Campbell’s reported extension progress provides some context for how Detroit views contract timing. Both players were treated as cornerstone pieces from the 2023 draft, and the Lions appear comfortable investing in core talent as long as terms match what the team wants to commit. With those two dealt with, Detroit’s focus now appears to be whether it can reach comparable agreement with LaPorta and Branch before the offseason-to-regular-season bridge narrows.

For Lions fans and roster-watchers, the next phase will likely hinge on how quickly the parties narrow the gap. If negotiations remain stalled, LaPorta and Branch could become the most prominent “contract-year” storylines for Detroit entering the season, with their on-field output increasing scrutiny around what the final deal might look like. If an agreement is reached, it would report the Lions were willing to close the loop on their entire 2023 draft core rather than risk letting either player reach the open market.

It is important to stress that Pro Football Rumors is not an official team announcement. Until the Lions or the players’ representatives confirm the status of talks, the most accurate takeaway is that extension discussions have not yet reached a point that would qualify as imminent for LaPorta or Branch, while reported progress on Campbell and Gibbs suggests Detroit has been actively managing contract priorities.