Lions Agreed To Make Kerby Joseph Highest Paid Safety In NFL History – Is He Really Worth It?

The Detroit Lions and safety Kerby Joseph have reached an agreement on a four-year, $86 million extension that makes him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

The extension, which pays Joseph $21.5 million per year, passes the $21.025 average set by Antoine Winifield Jr. in his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 24-year-old is coming off a career-best year in which he led the NFL with nine interceptions. He was named to the first-team All-Pro and helped lead the Lions to a 15-2 record.

Joseph is just the first in a line of homegrown Lions talents that could be up for paydays soon. Defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, despite coming off a broken tibia and fibula, could earn a large extension. Wide receiver Jameson Williams is also eligible for a new contract.

Joseph was a third-round draft pick in 2022 out of Illinois. So far in his career, he has 48 interceptions and passes defended.

He and Ed Reed are the only two players to record 225 tackles and 15 interceptions in their first three NFL seasons.

“I feel like I’m the best safety in the NFL,” Joseph said on the Jim Rome Show in the offseason. “I’m always going to strive to be the best.”

The Lions have the second-most cap space remaining for the 2025 season, but the second least for the 2026 season. The front office needs to manage its money carefully if the Lions want to keep their homegrown talent.