Coming off a historic 2024 campaign, the Detroit Lions are riding high into the upcoming season with confidence—and safety Brian Branch is making it clear that the team’s defense is ready to reach another level.
Branch, a former Alabama standout entering his third NFL season, is emerging as one of the vocal leaders of a Lions defense that has grown significantly over the past two years. While Detroit’s explosive offense has garnered plenty of attention, it was the defense that quietly helped push the franchise to a record-setting 15 regular-season wins in 2024—an all-time high for the team.
The numbers back up that claim. The Lions allowed just 342 total points over the regular season, placing them seventh-best in the NFL in that category. For a franchise that has struggled defensively in years past, the turnaround has been nothing short of impressive. But according to Branch, the best is still to come.
“We went through the ups and downs,” Branch said in a recent interview. “We fought together in tough games. We’ve been in games where it depended on us to win, so it just makes everybody buy in.”
For Branch, that “buy in” is what separates average defenses from elite ones. It’s not just about having talent on paper—it’s about players trusting one another, responding to adversity, and embracing the grind of the season together. Detroit’s defensive unit has done just that.
Since being drafted in 2023, Branch has been a crucial part of the Lions’ secondary. His versatility, instincts, and physicality make him a perfect fit for Detroit’s aggressive defensive scheme. But beyond his play on the field, Branch has grown into a leader—one who’s experienced the team’s rise from promising to powerful.
“Once you have a group that has bought in and has gone through trials and tribulations,” Branch added, “we feel invincible.”
That feeling of invincibility didn’t come easy. The Lions faced their share of close games, injuries, and high-pressure moments last season. But time and again, the defense stepped up when it mattered most—clutch red zone stops, late-game takeaways, and disciplined execution were all part of the formula that kept Detroit in control.
Now, as the team eyes another deep playoff run in 2025, Branch sees those challenges as the foundation for something even greater. With the return of key veterans, the development of young playmakers, and a coaching staff that has built a clear identity, expectations are sky-high in the Motor City.
Head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (now replaced after taking a head coaching job with the Jets) helped instill that toughness and resilience that defines this defense. With a culture rooted in accountability and effort, the Lions aren’t just hoping to be competitive—they’re aiming to dominate.
If Brian Branch’s mindset is any indication, Detroit’s defense is no longer the team’s question mark—it’s a driving force. And after weathering their trials and tribulations together, the unit enters 2025 not just better, but more bonded and battle-tested than ever.