The Detroit Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL, and the franchise is doing its part to reward the key pieces of the puzzle who have helped lift the organization to the heights it's reached today.
The most recent player to see his hard work pay off with a new contract was none other than veteran safety Kerby Joseph, as he reportedly agreed to a four-year, $86 million extension with the franchise on Thursday. This new contract makes the former University of Illinois standout the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
It is hard to think of anyone who deserved it more after the former third-round pick was named an All-Pro following the 2024 campaign, thanks largely in part to leading the NFL in interceptions with nine picks.
With the new contract agreed upon, Lions safety Brian Branch took to social media to share his thoughts regarding his running mate cashing in with this new contract, and he couldn't have been happier for his teammate.
Zuppppppppperrr DESERVE EVERY LAST PENNY 💯 https://t.co/yfXKc2g6NE
— Alpha🐕 (@BrianBB_1) April 23, 2025
This level of support from Branch just goes to show how much he cares about his teammates, as the former University of Alabama standout will be working to secure a new deal of his own with the franchise in the not-so-distant future. Branch is under contract with Detroit through the 2026 season but is slated for unrestricted free agency after that, a scenario the Lions front office would certainly like to prevent from happening.
When you look at Branch's production since entering the league, the safety has been everything fans in Motor City have hoped for and more.
Over the course of 31 games, 25 of which Branch served as a member of the starting lineup, the safety has recorded 183 total tackles to go along with seven interceptions, one of which Branch returned for a touchdown, two quarterback sacks, and two forced fumbles.
With production like that from Branch and all that Joseph has done to earn the extension agreed upon this week, Detroit's front office would be wise to do what they can to keep this tandem together at the back end of the defense for as long as possible.