The rookie who became the first to haunt Aaron Rodgers three times
In short: In 2022, a Detroit Lions rookie achieved a feat never before seen in NFL history. By recording three interceptions against Aaron Rodgers in a single season, Kerby Joseph didn't just disrupt a game; he rewrote the record books and signaled his rise as an elite defensive force.
Kerby Joseph’s path to the NFL was defined by versatility. Growing up in Orlando, Florida, he excelled as a multi-threat athlete at Jones High School, recording four interceptions and seven tackles for loss as a cornerback while simultaneously catching five touchdown receptions as a wide receiver. This dual-threat capability eventually led him to the University of Illinois, where he evolved from a reserve player into a first-team All-Big Ten standout in 2021.
The Detroit Lions chose Joseph during the 2022 NFL draft's third round (97th overall), even though Pro Football Focus considered him America's premier defensive back. His professional ascent was rapid. After starting his first game in Week 4 of his rookie season, he delivered a historic performance on November 6, 2022. He recorded two interceptions off Aaron Rodgers, becoming the first player in league history to intercept him three times in one season—a feat that earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.
Joseph’s trajectory continued upward through his sophomore and junior years. In 2024, he became the NFL interceptions leader with nine steals, earning a 91.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking first among all safeties that year. His elite production led to a historic contract extension on April 23, 2025, making him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time of signing. This journey from a three-star recruit to a record-breaking defensive anchor highlights one of the most rapid ascents in modern football.
theme human-achievement mood awe difficulty ,2 topics [ sports-history nfl-records athlete-profiles
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kerby Joseph
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