Carter Bahns· Sep 12, 2026
An unbylined piece on the Lions' restructured contracts argues Detroit's new cap space will let it extend both Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch, with LaPorta potentially becoming the NFL's highest-paid tight end, and predicts the team will pursue cornerback help via trade or free agency.
“Both should be expected to sign contract extensions, even though negotiations will ensue into the regular season.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
3 checkable claims — 3 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
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Who this take is about
3 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Trade and Signing CallsSam LaPortaDetroit LionsSep 12, 2026
Sam LaPorta to move to Detroit Lions
“Both should be expected to sign contract extensions, even though negotiations will ensue into the regular season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsBrian BranchDetroit LionsSep 12, 2026
Brian Branch to move to Detroit Lions
“Both should be expected to sign contract extensions, even though negotiations will ensue into the regular season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsSam LaPortaDetroit LionsSep 12, 2026
Sam LaPorta to move to Detroit Lions
“LaPorta has a chance to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL if and when he inks his next deal... could leapfrog George Kittle and Trey McBride as the top earners at the position.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Emmett MatasovskyDepth Chart Calls · Christian IzienMiss · 0Matasovsky says Dobbs is currently leading the backup quarterback race and suggests Christian Izien may be pressed into a starting safety role in Week 1 while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph rehab.
- Pete PriscoGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Prisco predicts the Lions blow out the Saints in Detroit and that the Chargers rout the Cardinals behind a new-look offense.
- Kirk HerbstreitGame Outcome Picks · Detroit LionsHit · 100Herbstreit made a full slate of Week 1 picks — Lions, Ravens, Bears, Bills, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles, Packers and Cowboys — and also said he still thinks Seattle is the team to beat in the NFC West.
- Matt DeryScore Predictions · Detroit LionsHit · 93Derry predicted a Lions win over the Saints by a 24-20 score, with the Saints covering the 7.5-point spread.
- Ross JacksonScore Predictions · Detroit LionsHit · 86Jackson predicted the Lions beat the Saints 27-20 in Week 1, and separately said he expects New Orleans to start 0-2 while still being a playoff-caliber team.
- Mitchell EisensteinScore Predictions · Detroit LionsClose · 79Mitchell picked the Lions to beat the Saints at home, 34-24.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Seth WalderTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Walder proposes five trades he believes should happen before Week 1 of the 2026 season: Jessie Bates III to the 49ers, Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Patriots, Keon Coleman to the Colts, Walker Little to the Cardinals, and Kayshon Boutte to the Commanders, where he says Boutte would immediately be Washington's No. 2 receiver.