The Detroit Lions and All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph have come to terms on a contract extension, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been made public.
According to multiple reports, the deal is for $86 million over four years, making Joseph the NFL’s highest-paid safety, with an average of $21.5 million per year. That eclipses the $21 million deal for Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr.; the $19.1 million deal for Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. rounds out the top three.
Joseph, an Orlando native, paced the league coming down with nine interceptions in 2024, helping Detroit win a franchise-record 15 games and a second straight NFC North crown, barely edging out the Minnesota Vikings. He tied for the most by any Lions player over the last five decades. Jimmy Allen also had nine back in 1981. That included a pick-six in a 24-14 win over their division rival Green Bay Packers on November 3. He also was third on the team with 83 tackles. He had four interceptions in 2023, tied for seventh in the NFL, and four as a rookie.
Detroit drafted the former Illinois standout in the third round, No. 97 overall, in 2022.
Joseph was one of four Lions to receive first-team All-Pro nods, along with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, punter Jack Fox and right tackle Penei Sewell. Detroit’s four selections tied the 1991 Lions for the most in franchise history since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger.
Embed from Getty ImagesA day before last year’s NFL draft, the Lions gave a pair of All-Pro players new deals.
The Lions and wide receiver St. Brown agreed to a four-year extension worth more than $120 million and offensive tackle Sewell agreed to a four-year, $112 million deal.
Detroit general manager Brad Holmes also hopes to sign Michigan native edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who was a former No. 2 pick in the draft, to an extension this offseason, even though he is coming off an injury.
The Lions are going into the draft on Thursday night with the No. 28 pick and while Holmes insists he will always take the best player available, the team has pressing needs at the edge rusher and guard positions.
Homes filled some gaps in free agency this offseason. Shortly after losing veteran cornerback Carlton Davis in free agency, the Lions signed D.J. Reed to a $48 million, three-year contract. Two days later, they added run-stuffing Roy Lopez to join McNeill and DJ Reader at defensive tackle.
