INDIANAPOLIS — When Peyton Manning watched the 2024 NFL season, he saw the 2000s-era Colts in the story of at least one team. Manning texted Lions head coach Dan Campbell after Detroit’s upset loss to Washington in the divisional round, offering the Lions a word of encouragement.

Lions safety Brian Branch would seem to check those boxes. In his second NFL season, Branch led Detroit with 79 solo tackles and held opposing quarterbacks to a 73.7 passing-efficiency rating when throwing to receivers he covered in 2024. Branch had more interceptions with four than touchdowns allowed with three.

Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has been reportedly given permission by the Los Angeles Rams to seek out a trade to other NFL teams. Since the conclusion of the 2024 regular season,

The NFL recently released concussion data for 2024. There were 182 total concussions during the year which includes preseason, regular season, and practices. That averages out to 5.7 per team. The Lions, by my count, had six official concussions during the 2024 season which is right at the league average.

The Hall of Fame quarterback expressed empathy and support for Campbell and his Detroit Lions after they lost in the divisional playoffs.