The Detroit Lions may have the best safety tandem in the NFL with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, who both enjoyed stellar 2024 seasons.
Joseph led the NFL with nine interceptions, while also accumulating 83 tackles and 12 pass breakups en route to being a First-Team All-Pro selection.
Branch, on the other hand, built on a strong rookie year with 109 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 16 pass breakups en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Both safeties are part of a slew of stellar
draft picks by general manager Brad Holmes, being key components of a revamped Lions defense.
Joseph broke the bank this offseason, earning a four-year, $86 million extension to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL. Surprisingly, he may not even be the highest-paid safety on the team in a year, given how quickly Branch has ascended in the league.
A second-round pick in the Class of 2023, Branch is extension-eligible after this coming season, and very well could be another homegrown star to remain in Detroit for the foreseeable future.
What could a potential deal for Branch look like?
Baseline numbers for a Brian Branch contract extension
As mentioned above, Joseph reset the safety market this offseason with his four-year, $86 million deal, topping Antoine Winfield Jr.’s four-year, $84 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Joseph’s deal was uniquely structured, as the Lions added four void years, while putting together a number of option bonuses. But, he should see the first three years of his deal at least, where most of the money is guaranteed.
Winfield’s deal had $45 million guaranteed at signing, and his $21.025 million-per-year salary reset the market by a fairly wide margin last offseason. Previously, the top safety contract was Derwin James, who got a four-year, $76.3 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers back in 2022.
There haven’t really been many other safety deals that come close to the top two recently. Budda Baker signed a three-year, $54 million deal, which added to the one year and around $15 million salary he had remaining.
Beyond that, Xavier McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency, while Javon Holland signed a three-year, $45.3 million contract with the New York Giants.
Projecting a Brian Branch contract extension with the Lions
If Branch continues on his trajectory and is in consideration for an All-Pro award in 2025, he very well could be the highest-paid safety in the NFL next offseason.
However, there are some major names to watch out for that could shift the market. Kyle Hamilton is in line for a likely market-setting contract either this offseason or next offseason.
While the two sides aren’t in a rush, a deal would likely place him as the highest-paid safety in the NFL, especially with another strong year under his belt.
Additionally, Jessie Bates, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Derwin James, and Brandon Jones all have their contracts up in 2026 and could look for extensions.
So, timing will be key here, as the Lions could face a costly decision if they choose to wait to extend their budding star. Another question is also Detroit’s willingness to pay two players top-tier money at a non-premium position. Will they go away from conventional wisdom and keep good players? Or does the ever-growing pile of extension-worthy candidates cause them to pause?
Assuming the Lions look to extend Branch next offseason and the safety continues his upwards trajectory, this could be a deal worth $22 million per year. Guarantees will of course be a crucial point, but the Lions aren’t afraid to use void years and bonuses to get a structure they deem acceptable.
Projection: 4 years, $88 million, $42.5 million in guarantees
More from prideofdetroit.com:
- 2020 Detroit Lions schedule: 5 things we’d like to see
- Notes: PFF drops Detroit Lions’ 2019 draft grade after Year 1
- Former RB coach: Lions’ Jason Huntley ‘was dynamic wherever we put him’
- Kenny Golladay named a top-10 WR in NFL
- Schedule leak: Lions to host Texans on Thanksgiving
- Open thread: How do you feel about NFL games in London?
- Ask POD: Detroit Lions schedule mailbag
