The Illinois football program has plenty of talent in the NFL, and one could be on the brink of a make-or-break season.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions decided to take a chance on former Illini defensive back Kerby Joseph. The third round selection ended up playing out well for them.
Through four seasons, Joseph has had 35 pass deflections and 20 interceptions for the Lions. Now, entering the 2026 season, he could be in a big proving ground year as far as Joseph and the future in Detroit is concerned.
The Athletic released an article that highlights all 32 NFL teams and the player who has the most at stake for each team during the 2026 season.
Joseph is the Lions player selected.
Which NFL players have the most at stake entering 2026?
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 20, 2026
On this list (featuring one player per team), you’ll find star-crossed quarterbacks, wide receivers juggling off-field issues and older edge rushers and younger offensive tackles alike at career crossroads.
Read for free:… pic.twitter.com/xq7WKVynEV
In Joseph’s first two seasons with the Lions, he had 29 starts and racked up 19 pass deflections and eight interceptions. This was a launching pad for his 2024 campaign, when Joseph started all 17 games and finished the season with 12 pass deflections and an NFL-high nine interceptions.
That dominant 2024 campaign earned Joseph All-Pro honors, which means he is the best player at his position. What it also earned him is a four-year, $86 million contract, which made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history at the time.
The reason Joseph lands on this list is that he went down with a knee injury in 2025. He only played in six games and still had four pass deflections and three interceptions.
Joseph is still not practicing with the Lions yet, and there aren’t a lot of updates about the knee coming out of their camp. According to numerous reports, the knee issue could be chronic, and that is the biggest worry for the Lions.
Kerby Joseph does have a lot at stake entering the 2026 season
While making this list isn’t fun, that doesn’t mean the list isn’t true. Joseph does have a ton at stake this upcoming season.
The 2026 campaign is a proving ground on whether or not Joseph can get healthy and stay on the field. While this is the first injury of his NFL career that is substantial, it is also a big injury to someone who makes quick movements and needs to use his legs for his job.
What is sad is that this injury might end up derailing a Hall of Fame career. You could easily make an argument that Joseph was on track to be a Hall of Famer with the way he started his time with Detroit. An All-Pro team in his first four seasons. That is rare.
Hopefully, Joseph can get back on the field before the season starts and get that knee right. He is not just the best safety in the NFL, but he is one of the best players in the entire league.
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