Lions break the NFL market with $86 million gamble
The Detriot Lions have broken NFL records with a new, $86 million deal for Kerby Joseph.
The Detroit Lions have signed a record-breaking $86 million deal for safety Kerby Joseph, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Joseph will earn an average salary of $21.5 million per year, more than the previous record deal of $21 million that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr signed.
Prior to striking the new deal, Joseph was headed into the final year of his rookie contract and would have made a base salary of $3.621 million.
Lions, S Kerby Joseph agree on 4-year, $86M extension, making him the highest-paid safety in the league. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/tpwlFpsCIV
— NFL (@NFL) April 23, 2025
‘I feel like I’m the best’ says Joseph
The All-Pro safety was the Lions’ third round pick of the 2022 draft and will be entering into his fourth season at the top level of the sport next season; last year he had a hugely impressive campaign and led the NFL with nine interceptions as the Lions finished top seed in the NFC North.
The 24-year-old was also top in the NFL terms of passer rating allowed in coverage, pass breakups (12) and tackles (83).
Across three seasons in the NFL, Joseph has recorded 247 tackles, 31 pass breakups and 17 interceptions. “I feel like I’m the best,” Joseph recently admitted on The Jim Rome Show. “And I’m always going to strive to continue to be the best.” Who are we to argue?
He led the NFL in INTs, he was named First Team All-Pro and he did NOT get a Pro Bowl invite.
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 25, 2025
But @JKERB25 isn't sweating it in the slightest. pic.twitter.com/JYC62INPZ7
While the numbers are eye-watering, the contract extension itself comes as no surprise: the Lions have been prioritising the renewals of key figures, including Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who all penned new deals last offseason.
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