ESPN proposes final offseason moves for Detroit Lions
· Yahoo Sports
With OTAs and mandatory minicamp in the books, Detroit Lions players now have a month before training camp report dates.
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That means it's not long before football and the NFL season takes center stage. Training camp could also provide the information and opportunity for the Lions to make some big final offseason decisions.
As the offseason winds down, ESPN proposed final offseason moves for the Lions and all 32 NFL teams. For Detroit, ESPN proposed contract extensions for two young Lions stars in safety Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta.
Much like their division rivals, the Lions could use more veteran help on the edge, but they also have some big contract decisions to make. The good thing about drafting multiple stars in the same draft is that they play really well. The bad thing is that you must pay them all at once. The bill is coming due for the Lions' fantastic 2023 draft class.
They already extended linebacker Jack Campbell, and they get an extra year to decide on running back Jahmyr Gibbs thanks to the fifth-year option granted to first-round picks. However, both Branch and LaPorta are set to become free agents at the end of this season. The worst scenario is probably getting to the 2027 offseason and having to decide how to sign both Branch and LaPorta while also extending Gibbs. - Aaron Schatz, ESPN
Detroit has already finalized contract extensions with a number of its stars. Beginning with safety Kerby Joseph in April of 2025, the Lions locked in long-term deals with wide receiver Jameson Williams, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and just inked linebacker Jack Campbell to a contract extension.
The organization inked receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, offensive tackle Penei Sewell and franchise quarterback Jared Goff to extensions in 2024.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said LaPorta was "trending the right way" for training camp. If LaPorta is back to full-speed in camp, that might be enough for the Lions to pull the trigger on a long-term deal. LaPorta had back surgery to repair a herniated disc in November of last year.
Meanwhile, Branch is working back from a torn Achilles that he suffered in early December last season.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN proposes final offseason moves for Detroit Lions