The Lions and Joseph reached an agreement on a four-year, $86 million extension Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. In the midst of many of his fellow Detroit defenders getting injured in 2024, Joseph played in all 18 games between the regular season and playoffs, and he parlayed it into a breakout as a playmaker with an NFL-leading nine interceptions, which surpassed the eight combined picks he tallied in his first two pro campaigns. The 2022 third-round pick has reset the safety market with the highest overall and annual values at the position, and he'll continue to hold up the back end of the Lions defense for the foreseeable future.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Kerby Joseph news
Team
Detroit Lions
Birthdate
11/14/2000 (24)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'0", 200 lbs
Draft Info
2022: Rd 3; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Orlando, FL, USA
Position
SAF
College
Illinois
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Detroit Lions
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
The Lions and Joseph reached an agreement on a four-year, $86 million extension Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. In the midst of many of his fellow Detroit defenders getting injured in 2024, Joseph played in all 18 games between the regular season and playoffs, and he parlayed it into a breakout as a playmaker with an NFL-leading nine interceptions, which surpassed the eight combined picks he tallied in his first two pro campaigns. The 2022 third-round pick has reset the safety market with the highest overall and annual values at the position, and he'll continue to hold up the back end of the Lions defense for the foreseeable future.
Joseph finished the 2024 regular season with 83 total tackles (58 solo), while also adding 12 passes defensed, including nine interceptions, over 17 games. Joseph matched his career-high 83 total tackles in 2024, but he more than doubled his career interception total this year. The safety had combined to intercept eight balls during his first two years in the league before he picked off an NFL-high nine passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown in Week 9 versus the rival Packers, this season. The 24-year-old has formed a dynamic duo with Brian Branch at safety for Detroit and Joseph will be entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Lions in 2025.
Joseph recorded six total tackles (five solo) and two interceptions in Monday night's 40-34 win over San Francisco. Joseph was able snap his five-game streak without an interception, getting back on track in a big way versus the 49ers. The safety picked off Brock Purdy in third quarter before later adding another interception in the fourth quarter, both of which were passes intended for wide receiver Ricky Pearsall across the middle of the field. Joseph is now up to an NFL-leading nine interceptions on the season, one of which he returned for a touchdown. On the year, the safety has also compiled 77 total tackles (54 solo) while producing 12 passes defensed, including the nine interceptions, over 16 games.
Joseph tallied four tackles (three solo) in the Lions' 34-31 win over the Packers in Week 14. Joseph has logged four combined tackles in three consecutive games, and he has played every single defensive snap in 10 of the Lions' 13 regular-season games. The third-year safety is up to 60 tackles (41 solo) and 10 pass defenses (including six interceptions and a pick-six).
Joseph recorded three total tackles (two solo) and one interception in Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars. Joseph picked off Mac Jones in the third quarter of Sunday's blowout win, bringing his season total up to seven interceptions through 10 games, which leads the NFL. The third-year pro has also recorded 48 total tackles and nine passes defended while playing 100 percent of the Lions' defensive snaps in all but two games this year. He's expected to continue causing problems for opposing offenses as the season progresses.
Joseph recorded two total tackles (one solo) in Sunday night's 26-23 win over the Texans. Joseph played all 65 of Detroit's defensive snaps in the contest, but he was limited to a season-low two tackles in the victory. The safety has had a fantastic season nonetheless, compiling 45 total tackles (30 solo), eight passes defensed and six interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, over nine games in 2024.
Joseph recorded four total tackles and a pick-six in Sunday's 24-14 win over the Packers. Joseph was able to snag yet another interception in Week 9, picking off Jordan Love with less than a minute in the first half and returning it for a touchdown. The safety has now snatched six interceptions in 2024, which is tied with Packers safety Xavier McKinney for the most in the NFL, though Joseph has played one less game. Joseph has had a spectacular start to the season, compiling 43 total tackles (29 solo), six interceptions, including Sunday's pick-six, and eight total passes defensed over eight games in 2024.
Joseph recorded six total tackles (five solo), an interception and two passes defensed in Sunday's 52-14 win over Tennessee. Joseph picked off Mason Rudolph in the second quarter, notching his fifth interception of the season. He also reached at least six tackles for the second straight game and fourth time overall on the year. The safety has been elite through seven games in 2024, compiling 39 total tackles (25 solo), five interceptions and seven passes defensed.
Joseph (hamstring) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.. Joseph popped up on the Lions' injury report as a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury. However, the third-year pro practiced in full Friday, indicating that he's moved past the issue. Expect Joseph to start alongside Brian Branch as part of Detroit's top safety duo in Week 6.