NFL can fix their huge 2024 mistake by giving Kerby Joseph the respect he deserves

The Detroit Lions were one of the best teams in the NFL during the 2024 season, and they were led on the defensive side of the ball by a dominant ballhawk in safety Kerby Joseph. Despite earning the exclusive First Team All-Pro nod, Joseph saw a few individual honors elude him.

Joseph became one of the few players in recent NFL history to be named a First Team All-Pro player without having been named to the Pro Bowl. Despite the theatrical and borderline silly tone the Pro Bowl has taken in recent years, missing out on this designation is still seen by some players as a slight.

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The only recourse Joseph has left now is to head out in the 2025 season and show everyone that not only is he among the best defensive backs in the game, but that he stands alone at the top. Some analysts believe he is more than capable of doing so.

NFL.com listed Joseph as one of a handful of NFC players who could be in line for their first Pro Bowl appearance during the 2025 season. Apparently, finishing sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting isn't enough to get the fans who vote on the Pro Bowl interested in Joseph.

Lions star Kerby Joseph could make first Pro Bowl in 2025 season

Not only did Joseph lead the entire NFL with nine interceptions last season, but his EPA when targeted (-53.7) was the best in the league for defensive backs by a wide margin (Baltimore's Nate Wiggins was second with -28.4). Joseph also had the fourth-lowest missed tackle rate in the NFL.

Joseph put up these numbers on a defense that was falling apart at the seams for most of the 2025 season, as the secondary was beset by injuries.A healthy unit might provide Joseph with the stability needs to somehow top his breakout campaign.

It's hard to argue that there is a better safety in the NFC at this point if you take Green Bay's Xavier McKinney out of the equation, and Joseph's revenge tour in 2025 might end with him getting the accolades that a top leader on one of the best teams in the league has warranted.