The Detroit Lions suffered the devastating news that star safety Brian Branch tore his Achilles tendon in the Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys. While trying to break up a pass in the fourth quarter, Branch suffered a season-ending injury, which will likely extend into the 2026 season.

Understandably, the Lions will be primarily focused on how to deal with Branch’s absence for the rest of the season. The defensive backfield is already decimated with injuries, forcing head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to dig deep into the bench to find solutions. Perhaps a more fascinating decision, however, will come in the offseason.

Lions Should Still Extend Brian Branch After His Season-Ending Injury

Before the injury, Branch was in line for a massive contract extension ahead of his fourth year in the league. The Lions made fellow star safety Kerby Joseph the highest-paid safety in NFL history in the 2025 offseason with a four-year, $86 million deal, and Branch could have warranted a similar extension.

Now, the Lions could either wait and see how Branch returns next season. Or, they could take advantage of the situation and sign the 24-year-old to a team-friendly deal.

There are obviously risks associated with both paths. Waiting and seeing may seem like the safer path on paper, but it risks alienating Branch. It also makes it more likely that he could leave in the 2026 offseason. The Lions are already an expensive team, having paid multiple key starters. A massive offer for Branch could entice the former Alabama star to leave Detroit.

Considering Detroit’s cap situation, signing Branch to an extension while he is injured has its merits. Not only do you send the right message to Branch and the rest of the team, but you also potentially set yourself up with a bargain deal. If Branch ends up looking like anywhere near the player he is today upon his return, the Lions could have one of the most team-friendly deals in the league.

This is similar to what the rival Green Bay Packers did with talented wide receiver Christian Watson. Right before he was extension eligible ahead of his fourth season in the NFL, Watson tore his ACL in Week 18 of the 2024 season. Despite knowing that he would miss the start of the 2025 campaign, the Packers signed him to a one-year, $13.2 million extension. Now, Watson is back and playing at a WR1/2 level, making his salary for the 2026 season a bargain deal for a cash-strapped team.

The Lions could take a page out of the Packers’ playbook once and sign Branch to a short-term extension. Whether general manager Brad Holmes feels the same way remains to be seen.