Detroit Lions May Cross Another $1 Billion Threshold To Keep Core Intact Around Jahmyr Gibbs
The Detroit Lions aren’t done spending. Not even close. After handing out nearly $1 billion in contracts since spring 2024, the front office is gearing up for another massive offseason.
Now with the checkbook still open, it seems like four members of their 2023 draft class, which also included running back Jahmyr Gibbs, could be eligible for contract extensions after this season.
Lions Reportedly Ready to Break the Bank for 2023 Draft Stars, Including RB Jahmyr Gibbs
According to Adam Schefter, the Lions want to keep as many of their core players as possible on long-term deals. The rebuild worked, but now comes the hard part because they reportedly want to keep the group together.
Gibbs’ contract will be the toughest one to navigate. Running back deals have become difficult in recent years since the position no longer commands big salaries. Still, Gibbs is no ordinary back, though he is now a bit busy with his self-Halloween show off. He’s been one of the best players in the league, and his production might force Detroit to pay him sooner than they’d like.
The Lions still have two years of team control, including his fifth-year option, plus the ability to use the franchise tag. But Schefter notes that the team knows the Georgia native’s value and will consider it heavily in negotiations.
Lions now have four key players from their 2023 draft class — RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, LB Jack Campbell and S Brian Branch — who will be eligible for their first NFL contract extensions after this season.
Sam LaPorta also presents a different challenge. As a 2023 second-round pick, LaPorta does not have a fifth-year option on his contract as Gibbs does and could hit free agency earlier. However, tight end salaries typically run friendlier than other skill positions. That could help to seal the deal with him without much negotiation.
Meanwhile, Jack Campbell’s situation looks pretty much stable. He is a player the Lions respect and want to retain. Plus, linebacker salaries are budget-friendly in terms of contract. Safe to say, his fifth-year option gives both sides extra time to get a deal done.
Brian Branch’s situation may be the most complicated, even more than Gibbs’ one. He’s under contract through 2026, but Schefter’s sources say he could push to become one of the league’s highest-paid safeties.
Lions have already invested heavily in fellow safety Kerby Joseph, and paying two at the top of the market would force the front office to break the threshold.
The deeper the Lions push this season, the higher those price tags climb. Winning means bigger paychecks, and that’s the math the Lions front office is solving right now.
Aidan Hutchinson Extension Sets the Stage for 2023 Class Negotiations
With Aidan Hutchinson now signed to a four-year, $180 million extension that includes $141 million guaranteed, the Lions can begin preparing for another challenging offseason. That deal cleared the deck, giving the team room to plan for more re-signings.
Detroit reportedly wanted Hutchinson’s contract settled before moving forward. The front office built it with flexibility to keep its other stars under the cap, knowing how tight things could get. Every dollar matters when the roster is loaded with high-end talent.
Over the past two years, the Lions have handed out $968.5 million in deals to Hutchinson, quarterback Jared Goff, tackle Penei Sewell, wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, safety Kerby Joseph, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, tackle Taylor Decker, running back David Montgomery, and receiver Jameson Williams. Once the 2023 draft class extensions hit, Detroit will easily cross the $1 billion mark.
League sources say the Lions have a strategy to retain as many of their remaining core players as possible while keeping their window of opportunity open to win.
GM Brad Holmes did a great job picking great players in the draft. If they return a good show, then Detroit will happily pay them cash in return.
Chicago Cubs predicted to replace Kyle Tucker with projected $182 million Boston Red Sox superstar
The Chicago Cubs are coming off a 92-70 season that saw them finish second place in the National League Central Division behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who were 97-65. After defeating the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round, Chicago fell to the Brewers 3-2 in their five-game NLDS series, ending their season.
Now that the World Series is over, the club and its fans has their eyes completely set on preparing for the 2026 MLB season in hopes that they can improve their roster, make it back to the postseason, and win another title themselves.
In order to do that, some tough decisions will need to be made and some serious money will need to be spent.
The Chicago Cubs are predicted to replace Kyle Tucker with Alex Bregman
Sep 30, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox third base Alex Bregman (2) hits a single during the first inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Recently, Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker has his number one MLB free agent of the offseason. Per Bowden, it is expected that, despite his injuries in 2025, Tucker will command a contract worth over $400 million.
In other words, Chicago, who is not likely to hand out that kind of contract, will need to find a way to replace a player who hit .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.
Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib suggests that they do so by signing third baseman Alex Bregman, who Bowden suggests will command a $182 million contract over six years:
“The guess here is that the Cubs make a strong push for Alex Bregman. The Cubs identified Bregman as the piece last offseason that could transition them from being a good team into a great team. They weren’t wrong, but the problem was that the Cubs made a pursuit of Bregman a priority far too late in the offseason. The Boston Red Sox likely will make a strong push to bring Bregman back, but the Cubs being involved shouldn’t be that surprising.”
Playing for the Boston Red Sox last season, Bregman hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI. He, like Tucker, also dealt with injuries last season that limited his production.
The thought of replacing Tucker, an outfielder, with Bregman, a third baseman, make sense since the Cubs already have Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Seiya Suzuki as their starting outfielders.
The problem, though, is that Bregman will be highly sought after in free agency, and the Cubs may get into a bidding war for his services.
