The Detroit Lions rewarded safety Kerby Joseph with a four-year extension worth $86 million this offseason, and the team is predicted to do the same for their other star safety, Brian Branch.
Pride of Detroit’s Rohan Chakravarthi predicts the Lions will make Branch the highest-paid safety in NFL history next offseason by signing him to a four-year extension worth $88 million with $42.5 million guaranteed.
The current highest-paid safety in league history is Joseph with an average annual value of $21.5 million. Branch’s annual value with Chakravarthi’s projected contract would be $22 million.
“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,” Chakravarthi wrote.
Through two seasons, Branch has been a high-level starter on Detroit’s defense. The 23-year-old snagged three interceptions in his rookie year in 2023 and added four more in 2024. Branch also earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season and 109 tackles.
Branch doesn’t have many flaws in his game. The Alabama product is solid in coverage, allowing a 72.3 passer rating when targeted in 2024 on 79 targets. He is also a stout run defender, posting a 90.0 run-defense grade last year, the highest by any safety.
If Branch continues his stellar play in 2025, the former second-round pick will be in a fantastic position to earn a lucrative extension.
Due to his all-around skillset and importance to the Lions’ defense, and the market constantly increasing, Branch should become the highest-paid safety in league history in 2026, meaning Detroit will have two players at the same position making historic money.
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