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Detroit Lions Owner Sheila Ford Hamp Confirms Plans to Extend Four Key Players

Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp has confirmed plans to extend the contracts of four key players, pending successful negotiations. This decision underscores the team’s commitment to maintaining the core of a roster that took significant strides in the 2025 season and emerged as a true playoff contender.

At the top of the list is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is eligible for an extension and a fifth-year option. If the extension isn't finalized, the fifth-year option will automatically extend through 2027 with a high guaranteed salary. Gibbs, a top-tier starter, has been crucial to the Lions' run-heavy offensive scheme. With his age (23-24) and vital role in the offense alongside Jared Goff, the Lions are eager to lock him in long-term to avoid free agency in 2027. Analysts such as Pride of Detroit and Yahoo Sports predict a major extension, potentially worth $10-15 million AAV if the deal is completed.

Lions Announce Jahmyr Gibbs History During Chiefs Game - Yahoo Sports

Tight end Sam LaPorta, another key target for an extension, is eligible due to his breakout performance but does not have a fifth-year option since he wasn’t a first-round pick. LaPorta has shown Pro Bowl potential, with great chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff, and the Lions are rebuilding their tight end room around him. Given the high cost of tight ends in the NFL, LaPorta’s extension is a high priority, and it's expected that a deal could be worth around $10-12 million AAV, securing him as a core piece of the offense.

Sam LaPorta has best game of his young career against the Saints

Safety Brian Branch, a standout performer for the Lions' defense, is another extension candidate. Known for his versatility as a hybrid safety/corner, Branch has been a key contributor to a strengthened secondary. With cap space projected at $50-60 million, the Lions have the room to lock Branch into a long-term deal as part of their defensive core, alongside Kerby Joseph, who has already been extended. Analysts frequently rank Branch as one of the top extension candidates for 2026, making him a critical part of the team’s future.

Lastly, linebacker Jack Campbell, eligible for an extension and fifth-year option (as a first-round pick in 2023), is also on the radar. Campbell has been a steady force in the Lions’ defense, particularly in run defense, and has shown strong development. Extending him would help solidify the team’s linebacker depth for the long term, especially after the extension of Derrick Barnes. If no extension is reached, the fifth-year option would automatically guarantee a year in 2027. This move would ensure continuity for the defense as the Lions continue to build for the future.

None of these contracts have been finalized yet, but all four players have been informed that they are central to the team’s plans moving forward. Talks are expected to intensify as the offseason progresses.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy .
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.