NFL players are human, after all. And grudge? Oh yeah, that’s all part of the mind games. I mean, it has not stopped George Kittle and Patrick Mahomes from having a little back and forth. And maybe that’s still on the healthier side. But Matthew Stafford and Kerby Joseph just could not stand each other. 

That’s some serious hate game. However, it’s not just the recent Kerby’s IG story with him holding a placard reading: “F–k Stafford.” But also the one from January 2023, during the Rams and Lions clash. 

Mic’d up, Matthew was heard saying: “Hey! Hey! That’s a good hit. That’s a good hit… You dirty AF, though. And you know it. You’re dirty AF. It’s been on tape. I’ve seen it. It’s been on tape. You’re right. You’re right.” Talk about a Yikes moment. 

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That hit wasn’t just a casual tap—it was a full-on knockout punch to Tyler Higbee’s season. Late in the fourth, Higbee goes up for a high pass, comes down, and boom—Kerby delivered a shot to the knee that has it folding like a bad poker hand. The result? Torn ACL, torn MCL, and Higbee’s playoff dreams crushed.

Cue Stafford, charging over, firing off an expletive-laden critique of Joseph’s play. And look, you could argue that he was just being protective of his guy. After all, Higbee wasn’t just any player—he was key to the Rams’ offense. But was Kerby’s hit dirty? That’s the NFL’s grey area: stay low to avoid concussions, but low hits risk taking out knees. 

Fast forward to now, and Joseph’s not exactly playing peacemaker. His recent NSFW jab at Stafford? Probably more about that Pro Bowl snub than old grudges. 

Kerby Joseph is not letting Matthew Stafford rest

Let’s talk about Kerby Joseph—the Lions’ safety who’s been locking down offenses all season. Nine interceptions, top coverage grade, and still no invite? Yeah, he’s got a right to feel slighted. Fans voted him in, but coaches and players said, ‘Nah’. Why, you ask? Well, it might have something to do with Matthew Stafford still holding a grudge. 

Or it might not entirely, but that Jan ‘23 incident stuck with Kerby to issue an NSFW remark in Stafford’s name. Now, there’s a reason for it… You see that Stafford Spat really put Kerby’s name in a bad light, and he is not getting the votes for the Pro Bowl.

And that’s why this snub isn’t just about stats; it’s about narratives. Joseph’s numbers mirror Brian Russell’s from 2003—a league leader in interceptions who also got left out of the Pro Bowl. It’s like déjà vu, right? But with guys like Budda Baker and Xavier McKinney filling just three NFC safety slots, competition was tight. Still, leaving Kerby off feels like benching your star QB in the fourth quarter.

Even Lions coach Dan Campbell had his say: “He’s worthy, absolutely. But that’s not what this is about.” Joseph echoed the sentiment, brushing off the Pro Bowl snub like a seasoned vet. He’s got his eyes on bigger trophies: the Super Bowl and an All-Pro nod.

So, is Kerby mad? Sure. But is he letting it slow him down? Not a chance. I mean, he might still be salty… but he wants to use that salt to rub off the wound by going after the Lombardi. And who knows, that is what’s needed for him to change the narratives.