In recent years, few players have defined the Detroit Lions’ defensive identity as much as safety Kerby Joseph. Since entering the league in 2022, Joseph has progressed from a third-round pick to a key member of Dan Campbell’s defense.
In April 2025, the Lions signed Joseph to a four-year, $86 million extension, becoming him the highest-paid safety in the NFL, surpassing Antoine Winfield Jr.’s $84.1 million contract and giving Joseph an average yearly pay of $21.25 million.
The contract contains a $10 million signing bonus, numerous annual option incentives from 2026 to 2029, and intentionally scheduled vacant years to reduce initial cap impacts. Total guarantees are around $36.1 million, with $24.4 million guaranteed upon his signing.
It’s a system that allows Detroit to maintain financial flexibility while simultaneously securing one of their most crucial young talents on a long-term basis — and ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently ranked Joseph’s contract as the most “team-friendly” in the league for safety.
More about why Kerby Joseph’s contract is considered the most team-friendly deal for any NFL safety right now.
“If Joseph continues around, he’ll make $18.5 million in 2027, $21 million in 2028, and $26 million in 2029. But those years are a long way off, and the only assurances they include are $1.26 million in 2027,” Graziano noted on June 27.
“If the Lions choose to, they can terminate this agreement after paying Joseph a total of $24.381 million by the 2026 season. And Joseph’s contract should be fairly beneficial for the Lions, whose list of extension-eligible players over the next calendar year and a half includes Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch.”
Joseph was taken 97th overall by the Lions in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft from Illinois. He began his rookie season largely on special teams, but quickly advanced to the starting lineup.
He took advantage of the opportunity, recording 82 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 17 games.
That year, Joseph became only the third NFL rookie since 1999 to record at least four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery—a hint of the playmaker he was becoming.
In 2023, Joseph cemented his starting position and continued to prosper, recording four more interceptions, 82 tackles, and 11 passes defended. However, it wasn’t until 2024 that Joseph truly developed into an All-Pro safety.
He led the NFL in interceptions with nine, including one recovered for a touchdown, while also recording 83 tackles and 12 pass breakups. PFF gave him a 91.0 overall grade, the highest among all qualified safeties.
He also set franchise records, becoming the first Lions safety to have at least nine interceptions in a season and the first NFL player since 1949 to have interceptions in seven of the first ten games.
Joseph is just now entering his prime.
It’s safe to say that Detroit has a true gem in Joseph.
His range, great football sense, and ability to play both deep and in the box make him the type of defensive back capable of correcting mistakes all over the field. At only 24 years old, he has established himself as a vocal leader and tone-setter in the locker room, as well as an emotional anchor for the Lions’ defense.
Detroit won a major victory in the way his deal is structured, but it also won big when it comes to re-signing him in 2022. If he stays healthy, Joseph figures to be one of the league’s top safeties — and the Lions will decide how long he stays.
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