The Detroit Lions have reached an agreement with All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph to a four-year, $86 million contract extension.

The 24-year-old is now the highest-paid safety in league history, with his new contract bringing his average salary to $21.5 million. That puts him ahead of Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr. ($21 million) and Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. ($19.1 million).

In his first three seasons, Joseph has established himself as one of the league’s top safeties thanks to his strong offensive game. He leads the league with nine interceptions, tying him with Jimmy Allen for the most interceptions in team history.

He also finished third on the team with 83 tackles, along with leading the NFL in blocked shots and having the third-lowest pass completion percentage.

Joseph has had at least four interceptions in his first three seasons, something that hasn’t happened to a safety in league history since Ed Reed, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame from 2002 to 2004.

However, he has drawn some attention and outrage in recent seasons due to the nature of some of his hits, which have resulted in significant injuries. Joseph suffered a pair of low hits to Minnesota Vikings linebacker TJ Hockenson and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Tyler Higbee that resulted in season-ending knee injuries.

Joseph will continue to be a key part of the Lions’ defensive identity and secondary for the foreseeable future. Next on Detroit’s list of new signings could be star offensive lineman Aiden Hutchinson, who is in the fourth year of his rookie contract with a fifth-year option for the 2026 season already guaranteed.