When the COVID-19 situation started lightening up, the fates of NFL franchises too changed. Matthew Stafford moved from the Lions to the Rams in 2021. He had plied his trade at the Lions since 2009. But the Rams exchanged Jared Goff for Stafford with a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. The same year, Dan Campbell arrived there, bringing in fresh talent. In the 2022 NFL Draft, safety Kerby Joseph arrived in the 2nd round. He was raw, full of energy.

He got mixed with the franchise, becoming a key member of their big plans. On January 2, Joseph took shots at the Rams QB that read, “F— Stafford.” His IG story clearly showed his support for his QB. Stafford and Joseph share a bitter history. He even posed thumbs down when a fan took a photo holding Stafford’s jersey. It started during the signal caller’s homecoming.

In January last year, the Rams played the Lions at Ford Field, Detroit. Stafford was booed in his homecoming. It was an intense game. During the game, microphones heard Stafford calling the safety a dirty player who was out there to hurt other players. Later, the Lions won the game. The bitterness is still relevant between these two.

However, for Kerby Joseph, this year is turning out better than his previous ones in the league. In 16 games in 2024, he has recorded 9 interceptions, the most by any safety this year, for 99 yards with 77 tackles (54 solo). The Lions HC also praised the safety during the weekly radio interview and said, “Kerby Joseph has improved. He’s a player who, you could argue, is one of the most improved players from when he set foot to where we’re at now.”

However, other coaches and players in the league feel differently. The fans voted him first in the position for the Pro Bowl. But the league didn’t like his hits on Rams TE Tyler Higbee and Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson.

Kerby Joseph makes bold claim after the Pro Bowl snub

While talking to the reporters after practice on Thursday, the Lions’ safety cleared his stance on NFL players not choosing him. Making a bold claim, he said, “I feel like All-Pro, that’s the real recognition that people give. I feel like Pro Bowl, man. I won the fan vote or whatever the case is. The Pro Bowl is the Pro Bowl. I’m done talking about that. Not really worried about that. I’m focused on the Super Bowl. I wasn’t gonna go to the Pro Bowl (anyways).”

He is getting support from his teammates and their families too. Campbell’s wife, Holly Campbell, shared an IG story endorsing Kerby Joseph. She posted Louis Riddick’s praise of the safety as the ESPN analyst called him a great player.

LB Alex Anzalone also backed his teammate’s claims by calling everyone ‘dumb‘ who doubts their Super Bowl claim. With a 14-2 win-loss record after week 17, they sit stop at the NFC North and NFC conference as well. Within 10 days, the playoffs will start. It will be exciting.