By Sunday 
When the Detroit Lions handed Kerby Joseph a four-year, $86 million extension, it felt like a no-brainer. He was coming off a monster 2024 season, had turned himself into one of the league’s premier ball-hawking safeties, and looked like a long-term cornerstone for a defense on the rise.
Now? That deal suddenly feels a lot more complicated.
A Medical Red Flag That’s Hard to Ignore
Former NFL head team doctor Dr. David Chao dropped what can only be described as unsettling news while speaking at Radio Row ahead of the Super Bowl. His concern isn’t just about Kerby missing time — it’s about whether Joseph can realistically play out the entirety of his massive extension.
“This one’s a little dicey, here,” Chao said, explaining that articular cartilage issues are one of the most difficult problems in sports medicine. In his words, cartilage is “the holy grail” — once it’s damaged, there’s no simple fix. No retreads. No easy replacement.
That alone is enough to make Lions fans uneasy.
Why “Stem Cells” Changes the Conversation
What really raised eyebrows was Chao’s comment that discussions around stem cell treatment suggest Joseph’s knee issue may be beyond even microfracture surgery.
“Kerby Joseph, I don’t know the extent of his knee,” Chao admitted, “but when you’re starting to talk about stem cells, that means you’re beyond even micro fracture.”
And that’s where the dreaded phrase came in.
Chao ultimately described Joseph’s chances of fully playing out his contract as a “Hail-Mary.” Not impossible — but far from something you plan around with confidence.
The Clowney Comparison Hits Close
To put things in perspective, Chao referenced Jadeveon Clowney, who had microfracture surgery early in his career. Clowney outperformed expectations and stuck around the league, but teams were always hesitant to offer him long-term security.
That parallel matters. It highlights how knee cartilage issues don’t always end careers — but they do shape them.
How This Started: A Promising Season Cut Short
Joseph entered the 2025 season with sky-high expectations after posting nine interceptions, 83 tackles, and 12 pass breakups in 2024. But everything changed in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns.
He returned after the initial injury, re-aggravated it, and was eventually placed on Injured Reserve in December, ending his season prematurely. The timing couldn’t have been worse, especially so soon after signing a historic deal.
Dan Campbell’s Realistic Take
Lions head coach Dan Campbell hasn’t sugarcoated the situation.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily going away,” Campbell said. “You do the best you can to manage it.”
That word — manage — says a lot. This isn’t about a quick fix. It’s about careful planning, load management, and hoping the knee holds up week after week.
What This Means for Detroit
Dr. Chao made it clear: getting a year or two of strong play from Joseph might already be considered a win. Anything beyond that? A bonus.
For a young player on an $86 million deal, that’s unsettling. For a Lions team trying to stay in Super Bowl contention, it’s a potential roster-shaping concern.
Everyone involved is hoping Chao is wrong. But for now, the Lions — and their fans — are left holding their breath, watching one of their brightest stars face a future that suddenly feels anything but certain.