Lions President Cites Aidan Hutchinson Deal as Blueprint for Injured Stars' Extensions
via: IMAGO
via: IMAGO
The Detroit Lions are not waiting around this offseason. Even with injuries to key young players, the team is focused on locking in its core early. Rod Wood shared that plan on April 16 during a Detroit Economic Club event.
The Lions President shared that they aim to extend their top four picks from the 2023 NFL Draft, including currently out of action Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta.
“They’re all going to be in the building soon,” Wood said via Detroit Free Press. “Guys start showing up next week, so once we get an assessment of how they’re doing, it doesn’t mean they have to play before we would do an extension.”
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14: Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood on the sidelines during pregame warmups before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, December 14, 2025, in Inglewood, California. Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 14 Lions at Rams EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon46520251214002
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14: Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood on the sidelines during pregame warmups before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, December 14, 2025, in Inglewood, California. Photo by Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 14 Lions at Rams EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon46520251214002
That makes it clear the Lions are not waiting for game action before making decisions.
They have already seen this approach work. Aidan Hutchinson signed a four-year, $180 million extension last October, a little over a year after suffering a serious leg injury.
He then returned to start all 17 games last season and finished with 14.5 sacks, according to ESPN. The approach they followed with him now gives the team a clear path to follow.
“These may take time cause they’re big deals, not because of the injury,” Wood added. “But we’ll look at their health… the plan is now to try and keep all these guys that we’ve drafted.”
Now, the focus shifts to Branch and LaPorta as they work their way back, and the team continues extension talks.
Lions Stick to Plan With Injured Young Core
Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta remain central to Detroit’s plans, even as both recover from injuries. The Lions are not changing direction. Instead, they are looking to secure deals early rather than wait and face higher prices later.
Branch (Safety) tore his Achilles tendon in December during a win over the Dallas Cowboys. LaPorta (TE) underwent surgery for a herniated disc in November. The timelines for their training camp are still not confirmed, but that has not slowed the team’s approach.
Both players have already proven their value on the field. When healthy, they are among the best at their positions, which is why the Lions are confident about moving forward with extensions.
The Lions are sticking to that same approach that worked with Hutchinson. Injuries have not changed their plans, and the focus remains on keeping their young core together for the long run.
When do you think the Branch and LaPorta shall return?
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Written by
Anjali Thakur
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi