Reports: Lions making Kerby Joseph highest-paid safety in NFL history

Field Level Media|published: 04/23/2025, 8:16pm EDT

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates an interception (his second of the game) against San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.

The Detroit Lions and Kerby Joseph have agreed on a four-year, $86 million contract extension that will make him the highest-paid safety in NFL history, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday night.

Joseph was scheduled to make $3.621 million in base salary in 2025, the last year of his rookie contract. Now his $21.5 million annual salary and total value of $86 million are both more than Tampa Bay is paying safety Antoine Winfield Jr. ($21.025 million annually, $84.1 million total).

Joseph, 24, was voted first-team All-Pro last season after posting a league-best nine interceptions -- including one returned for a touchdown -- as well as 83 tackles and 12 passes defensed in 17 regular-season games (all starts).

Detroit selected Joseph in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Illinois. He has 17 interceptions, 247 tackles, 31 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one return touchdown in 49 games (46 starts).

--Field Level Media