The deadline for fifth-year option decisions is approaching, and the Lions are among the teams with an interesting call still to be made. Linebacker Jack Campbell‘s short-term future is unclear leading up to May 1.
Campbell is coming off a first-team All-Pro season, and he will be expected to remain a foundational presence for Detroit well into the future provided a long-term deal can be arranged. All linebackers are grouped together for the purposes of fifth-year options and franchise/transition tags, however, which make them highly expensive for situations such as this one. Picking up Campbell’s option would tie him to a 2027 salary of $21.93MM. Only two middle linebackers are currently attached to an AAV of $20MM or more.
A lucrative commitment to Campbell would be inevitable in the event of a long-term deal, but his option salary would be fully guaranteed and match his cap charge for 2027. That, in turn, would complicate the Lions’ efforts to keep the rest of their highly-productive 2023 draftees in the fold. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, safety Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta are each in line for big-money deals from Detroit or another team in the near future.
Picking up Campbell’s option is an expected move on the part of the Lions. The alternative, of course, is an extension agreement being finalized prior to Friday’s deadline. On that note, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports (video link) both team and player would be “happy” with a long-term deal being worked out in the coming days. It will be interesting to see how general manager Brad Holmes and Co. proceed in the immediate future with an important decision looming.
The Lions already have a highly-paid core of (primarily) homegrown players, many of whom are on the offensive side of the ball. Campbell has established himself as an integral figure as well, though, playing in every game to date during his career and filling the statsheet along the way. The Iowa product set new career highs in tackles (176), sacks (five) and forced fumbles (three) in 2025. Campbell will be 26 by the start of next season, and expectations will remain high in his case for years to come.
Detroit allowed Alex Anzalone to depart in free agency this spring. Derrick Barnes is in place on an $8MM-per-year deal which runs through 2027, while Malcolm Rodriguez and Damone Clark offer inexpensive depth at the linebacker spot. Campbell will be counted on to lead the way at that position for at least one more season, and short-term stability through his option being exercised would come as little surprise. Nonetheless, a long-term pact will be something to watch for over the coming days.
The Lions still have time to execute a 5th year option for Gibbs and Campbell while they ponder an extension.
Holmes is never early on these things (see timing of Goff restructure).
It is going to be tough to extend these two plus LaPorta and Branch without running up the credit card Mickey Loomis style.
I don’t know how they’ll be able to trade for Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson at the deadline when the cap gets tight. 🙂
They will most likely let LaPorta walk. Not Holmes style to pay top money for a TE
Yeah they need to lock up Campbell. He makes all the plays and is the middle of the defense.
Gibbs is a no brainer
LaPorta can walk
Branch is a 50/50 ball for me. If the price is right
Their heartburn for Campbell I’m sure was the $21.9M fully guaranteed 5th Year Option. That would have essentially made him (for now) the highest paid LB for 2027. I would guess that they have a different figure in mind a bit south of $21.9M.
Gibbs will get paid.
Branch needs to have a strong rebound from injury to have a realistic extension conversation. Should he have a comeback player of the year season in 2026 he’ll either get tagged which could be $22-24M or he’ll be allowed to walk and the team will hope to get a comp pick which will be wasted during a trade.
LaPorta’s future is somewhat linked with Branch. The team will only keep one. They could trade one or the other prior to the trade deadline as well. Holmes does seem to do better trades away from draft day.