Lions Make Kerby Joseph Highest-Pay Safety in NFL History With 4-year, $86m Extension

Kerby Joseph established himself as one of the NFL’s top safeties last season. He is about to be paid like it.

The Detroit Lions safety agreed to a four-year, $86 million contract extension, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a deal that will make Joseph the highest-paid safety in NFL history. The previous high watermark was Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout Antoine Winfield Jr. with four years, $84.1 million.

Joseph is coming off a 2024 season that saw him earn first-team All-Pro honors. The 24-year-old led the league in interceptions with nine, and also has an NFL-best 17 since entering the league in 2022.

The Lions selected Joseph out of Illinois in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’s been a key part of the team’s rise ever since.

Who else are the Lions going to pay big this offseason? As Rapoport notes, the Lions have said they are planning to ensure they keep star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for a long time.