Kerby Joseph’s impressive 2023 season has been overshadowed by an unfortunate decision that cost him millions of dollars. The third-year safety for the Detroit Lions has had a remarkable year, leading the NFL with nine interceptions, allowing just 43.9% of passes his way to be completed, and earning the second-highest safety grade from Pro Football Focus. He also led all free safeties in Pro Bowl voting. Despite these standout achievements, Joseph was shockingly left off the initial Pro Bowl roster for 2024, a decision that could have serious financial implications.
This snub from the Pro Bowl ballot is more than just an accolade he missed out on; it has a direct financial impact due to the NFL’s Proven Performance Escalator (PPE) program. The PPE is a contract clause that benefits players drafted in the second round or later, rewarding them with salary increases based on their performance during their first three seasons. There are three levels within the PPE structure, and Joseph was close to hitting the third level, which would have meant a significant pay raise.
The PPE has three levels of salary increases based on performance. Level 1 is activated when a player participates in a certain percentage of snaps over their first three seasons. For second-round picks like Joseph, that threshold is 60% of snaps in two out of the first three years or an average of that over three seasons. Level 2 kicks in when a player participates in at least 55% of the team’s snaps in each of their first three seasons, resulting in a $250,000 bump in salary. Level 3, the most lucrative, is awarded to players who make the Pro Bowl in one of their first three years.
Joseph had already qualified for Level 2 of the PPE, ensuring he would see a salary increase in 2025. However, hitting Level 3 by making the Pro Bowl would have been a game-changer. The difference between the second-round restricted free agent (RFA) tender and the Pro Bowl escalator is substantial. Joseph would have gone from a projected salary of $1.357 million in 2025 to $5.217 million if he had made the Pro Bowl. This was a huge missed opportunity for the young safety.
While the Pro Bowl snub cost Joseph the financial boost he deserved, there is still hope for him in the form of a contract extension. The Lions are likely to extend Joseph’s contract in the upcoming offseason, and there’s a strong possibility that he could become one of the highest-paid safeties in the league. This would offset some of the lost money from not making the Pro Bowl, but it doesn’t change the fact that he was unfairly overlooked.
The Pro Bowl snub is a frustrating setback for Joseph, who has consistently demonstrated elite play this season. His performance on the field has been stellar, and it’s difficult to understand why he wasn’t recognized with a Pro Bowl selection. Making the Pro Bowl would not only have been a well-deserved honor but also a financially significant achievement.
Despite the setback, Joseph has a bright future ahead of him. The Lions’ defense has been much improved with him in the secondary, and his contributions to their success cannot be overstated. A contract extension could be on the horizon, and if that happens, Joseph could still end up with a substantial payday, making the Pro Bowl snub less significant in the long run.
At the end of the day, this decision serves as a reminder of how much the NFL’s internal mechanisms can impact a player’s earning potential. For Joseph, the Pro Bowl was more than just a recognition of his talents; it was a key milestone that would have led to a financial windfall. Hopefully, the Lions will ensure that he is compensated fairly for his exceptional play, regardless of the Pro Bowl snub.
