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Detroit Lions make historic $86 million deal for defensive star 24 hours before the draft
The Lions aren’t messing around. Detroit has extended one of the biggest defensive stars in the league for the long haul. Kerby Joseph was one of the lone bright spots on a Detroit defense ravaged by injuryGetty NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the Lions and safety Kerby Joseph have agreed to a historic extension, keeping the All-Pro safety in the Motor City for the foreseeable future. “The #Lions and All-Pro S Kerby Joseph reached agreement on a massive new extension to make him the highest paid safety in NFL history, sources say,” Rapoport wrote on X. “He gets a 4-year, $86M deal — $21.5M per year — in contract done by @AgentLouisBing. A big-time star in Detroit cashes in.” Joseph led the NFL in interceptions last season with nine, earning him his first All-Pro honors. His new annual salary of $21.5 million places him ahead of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr.’s yearly salary of $21.025 million. As Rapoport noted, it also makes Joseph the highest-paid safety in NFL history. Not bad for a third-round pick out of Illinois finishing only his third year in the pros. The NFL insider also speculated on who could be next in line for an extension with Detroit. “The #Lions would like to lock up star edge Aidan Hutchinson and perhaps he’s next after Joseph,” Rapoport said. “President Rod Wood recently told Dave Birkett at a pre-draft event, ‘He will be here for the long haul, I can assure you of that.'” Joseph led the NFL with nine interceptions, even taking one back for a touchdownGetty The Lions would like to get a deal done with their other defensive star, in HutchinsonGetty Joseph is only 24 years oldGetty Hutchinson is coming off a season in which he suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6 that ended his year. He had recorded 7.5 sacks in 5 games and was off to a strong start, positioning himself to be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Hutchinson’s injury was just the tip of the iceberg for Detroit’s defense, as they seemed to lose starters every week as the season progressed. Despite that, Dan Campbell’s squad still finished with the best record in the NFC at 15-2, winning the NFC North crown for the second consecutive year. Unfortunately, the injuries finally caught up to Detroit, as rookie phenom Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a huge upset victory in the divisional round of the playoffs against Campbell’s team. The Lions will be looking to bounce back with better injury luck this year, as Hutchinson returns and Joseph is now signed for the long term. With the draft less than 24 hours away, the Lions can also look to bolster their defense with the 28th overall pick. Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft
The Lions aren’t messing around.
Detroit has extended one of the biggest defensive stars in the league for the long haul.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that the Lions and safety Kerby Joseph have agreed to a historic extension, keeping the All-Pro safety in the Motor City for the foreseeable future.
“The #Lions and All-Pro S Kerby Joseph reached agreement on a massive new extension to make him the highest paid safety in NFL history, sources say,” Rapoport wrote on X.
“He gets a 4-year, $86M deal — $21.5M per year — in contract done by @AgentLouisBing. A big-time star in Detroit cashes in.”
Joseph led the NFL in interceptions last season with nine, earning him his first All-Pro honors.
His new annual salary of $21.5 million places him ahead of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr.’s yearly salary of $21.025 million.
As Rapoport noted, it also makes Joseph the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Not bad for a third-round pick out of Illinois finishing only his third year in the pros.
The NFL insider also speculated on who could be next in line for an extension with Detroit.
“The #Lions would like to lock up star edge Aidan Hutchinson and perhaps he’s next after Joseph,” Rapoport said.
“President Rod Wood recently told Dave Birkett at a pre-draft event, ‘He will be here for the long haul, I can assure you of that.'”
Hutchinson is coming off a season in which he suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6 that ended his year.
He had recorded 7.5 sacks in 5 games and was off to a strong start, positioning himself to be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
Hutchinson’s injury was just the tip of the iceberg for Detroit’s defense, as they seemed to lose starters every week as the season progressed.
Despite that, Dan Campbell’s squad still finished with the best record in the NFC at 15-2, winning the NFC North crown for the second consecutive year.
Unfortunately, the injuries finally caught up to Detroit, as rookie phenom Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a huge upset victory in the divisional round of the playoffs against Campbell’s team.
The Lions will be looking to bounce back with better injury luck this year, as Hutchinson returns and Joseph is now signed for the long term.
With the draft less than 24 hours away, the Lions can also look to bolster their defense with the 28th overall pick.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft
