Detroit Lions extend Kerby Joseph on record-breaking, 4-year deal

The Detroit Lions have made Kerby Joseph the highest-paid safety in football.

The Detroit Lions have reportedly given safety Kerby Joseph a record-breaking extension. According to several reports, the Lions and Joseph have agreed to a four-year, $86 million extension. That breaks the previous average per year record set by Antoine Winfield Jr., who signed a four-year, $84.1 million deal last offseason.

Last year, Joseph had a career season. Not only did he lead the NFL with nine interceptions, but he also added 83 tackles and 12 passes defended. He was named first-team All Pro for the first time in his career and finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

All offseason, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made it clear that they intended on handing Joseph an extension this year.

“He fits our culture,” Holmes said back in January. “It’s hard to find ballhawk guys that will tackle like how he does, and I think that’s what makes him unique, so again, we haven’t had any intense dialogue about that yet, but obviously we want to keep the good players here.”

Joseph becomes just the next player the Lions have drafted, developed, and extended. Last year, they gave massive contracts to Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Alim McNeill, and Jared Goff (not drafted by Detroit). This year, they already gave a strong extension to 2021 draft pick Derrick Barnes.

But Joseph is the first of the Lions’ 2022 draft class to earn a second contract. That said, the Lions have made it clear that Aidan Hutchinson is a high-priority extension as well.

Congratulations to Joseph on earning his mega-extension!