As the 2024 NFL season draws to a close, excitement and anticipation fill the air with one final regular-season game left to play. Soon, we’ll discover the Detroit Lions’ seeding for the playoffs. While fans eagerly await this outcome, the season’s end also marks another significant milestone: the activation of Prove Performance Escalators (PPE).

No, these aren’t escalators at your local mall. PPE is a built-in NFL mechanism designed to reward players drafted outside the first round with financial incentives for achieving specific performance benchmarks early in their careers. One Lions player set to benefit from this system is standout safety Kerby Joseph.

How PPE Works

The PPE system operates in three levels, each offering escalating rewards based on a player’s contributions and accolades. Here’s how the tiers break down:

• Level 1: A player qualifies if they participate in a certain percentage of snaps during two of their first three seasons or average that percentage over three years. The threshold is 60% for second-round picks or 35% for later-round selections.
• Level 2: A player must participate in at least 55% of their team’s offensive or defensive snaps in all three of their first seasons. Achieving this increases their salary to the value of the original round’s restricted free agent (RFA) tender, plus an additional $250,000.
• Level 3: Reserved for players selected to the Pro Bowl as an original ballot pick within their first three seasons. If achieved, the player’s salary jumps to the projected value of the second-round RFA tender—estimated at $5.217 million for the upcoming season.

Joseph’s Impressive Milestone

Kerby Joseph has already achieved Level 2, meaning he is set to see a pay increase in 2025 regardless of future developments. His on-field excellence has been undeniable. Joseph leads the league in interceptions this season and is the second-highest-graded safety by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Additionally, he topped Pro Bowl votes among NFC free safeties, making it highly likely he’ll earn a spot on the Pro Bowl’s original ballot. If he does, it would elevate him to Level 3, securing a dramatic salary boost.

What Does This Mean for Joseph?

Currently, Joseph is slated to earn $1.357 million in 2025, but if he qualifies for the Pro Bowl as an original ballot selection, his salary will skyrocket to $5.217 million. That’s an increase of $3.86 million, reflecting the value of his stellar contributions to the Lions’ defense. This amount isn’t guaranteed, but it’s highly unusual for a team to withhold it—especially when dealing with a player of Joseph’s caliber.

Moreover, Joseph’s exceptional season could lead to even greater recognition, as he is in contention for All-Pro honors. Should he achieve this accolade, it would further solidify his reputation as one of the league’s premier safeties.

What’s Next for the Lions and Joseph?

Given Joseph’s rise to prominence, the Lions may look to extend his contract during the offseason. Such an extension could restructure his earnings, allowing Detroit to spread the financial impact over multiple years while still rewarding Joseph for his performance. Regardless of whether the Lions take this approach, one thing is certain: Joseph will get what he’s earned, either through the PPE system or a restructured deal.

With the regular season wrapping up and the playoffs on the horizon, Joseph’s future looks brighter than ever. His journey from a non-first-round draft pick to a top-tier safety is a testament to his talent, hard work, and determination. For Lions fans, Joseph’s success is just another reason to feel optimistic about the team’s trajectory as they head into what promises to be an electrifying postseason.

This week, we’ll likely receive confirmation of Joseph’s final pay bump—and it will be well-deserved. As the Lions’ defense continues to shine, Kerby Joseph stands as a cornerstone of a promising future for Detroit.