| Kerry Joseph | |
| Current Team: | Chicago Bears |
| Birth Date: | October 4, 1973 |
| Birth Place: | New Iberia, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 0 |
| Weight Lb: | 215 |
| College: | McNeese State |
| Undraftedyear: | 1996 |
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| Pastcoaching: |
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| Highlights: |
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| Cfl: | 3291 |
Kerry Tremaine Joseph[1] (born October 4, 1973) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the quarterbacks coach for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks from 2022 to 2023.
Joseph played college football at McNeese State and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1996. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2007 while leading the Saskatchewan Roughriders to victory in the 95th Grey Cup. At the end of the season, he had completed 267 of 459 passes for 4002 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also led all quarterbacks in the league in rushing with 737 yards on 90 attempts and 13 touchdowns.
In college Joseph played quarterback for McNeese State University, leading his team to a 42–11 record and two Southland Conference titles during four seasons as a starter.
Subsequently, Joseph spent the 1996 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, played for the London Monarchs of the World League in 1997, and tried out as a slotback for the Washington Redskins. In 1998, Joseph played for the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, where he won the World Bowl Championship. He then was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks where he played safety for four years until being released in 2002.
Joseph then headed to Canada to try his luck at finally playing quarterback as a professional. He was acquired as a free agent by the Ottawa Renegades in 2003 and during that season unseated incumbent Dan Crowley for the starting job. In the last game of the 2005 season, a victory over the division-leading Toronto Argonauts, Joseph became only the third (after Damon Allen and Tracy Ham) quarterback in Canadian Football League history to garner over 1000 rushing yards in a single season, finishing with 1006.
The Renegades suspended operations, but on April 12, 2006, Joseph was selected first overall by Saskatchewan in the Ottawa Renegades dispersal draft.
On November 25, 2007, Joseph won the Grey Cup for the first time in his career, winning 23–19 over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. On November 29, 2007, he was announced as the first ever CFLPA Pro Player of the Year after fan voting during Grey Cup week.[2]
Joseph was traded from the Saskatchewan Roughriders to the Toronto Argonauts on March 5, 2008, along with 2010 third round draft pick in exchange for offensive tackle Glenn January, defensive lineman Ronald Flemons, the Argos' 2008 first-round pick and a 2010 second-round selection.
After being traded to the Argos, Joseph struggled with the team, being knocked out of the playoffs for the two seasons that he played there.
On February 21, 2010, Joseph was released by the Argos along with fellow quarterback Cody Pickett and linebacker Zeke Moreno.
On October 25, 2010, Joseph was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos to a practice roster agreement after speculation that starting quarterback Ricky Ray would sit out the final two games of the 2010 CFL season.[3]
On December 16, 2010, it was announced that Joseph had been released by the Eskimos.[4]
On January 25, 2011, it was announced that Joseph had been hired as a personal trainer at Cross Gates Athletic Club in Slidell, Louisiana.[5]
June 8, 2011: Signed with the Edmonton Eskimos.
2012 Season: After starting quarterback Steven Jyles went down with an injury, Joseph started 3 games and threw for 1286 yards with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
On January 28, 2014, Joseph announced his retirement from pro football.
Joseph was the Program Director of Parisi Speed School in Slidell, La after retiring.
On October 7, 2014, it announced by the Saskatchewan Roughriders that he was coming out of retirement to return to his former team.[6] Prior to his resigning with the Roughriders, Joseph had been working as a coaching intern with the New Orleans Saints.[7] Joseph made his first start of the season against the Edmonton Eskimos on October 19, 2014. Joseph had been a member of the Eskimos organization until the end of the 2013 season and retired in early 2014.[8] [9] Joseph played in 2 more regular season games for the Roughriders and 1 playoff game. In said playoff game Joseph struggled, throwing 5 interceptions on 17 pass attempts for a passer rating of 45.8.
On December 5, 2014, Joseph announced his retirement from the CFL as a Saskatchewan Roughrider.[10]
In August 2019, Joseph was inducted in the Saskatchewan Roughriders Plaza of Honour.[11]
In 2014, Joseph served as a training camp intern with the New Orleans Saints under head coach Sean Payton.
In 2016, Joseph was hired as the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at McNeese State University.
In 2017, Joseph served as a training camp intern with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under head coach Dirk Koetter.
In 2018, Joseph returned to McNeese State University as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
In November 2018, Joseph was named interim head coach, following the termination of head coach Lance Guidry after a 6–5 campaign.
In March 2019, Joseph was hired as the passing game coordinator and running backs coach at Southeastern Louisiana University.[12]
In 2020, Joseph was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as an offensive assistant under head coach Pete Carroll. On March 3, 2021, Joseph was promoted to assistant wide receivers coach.[13] In 2022, Joseph was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach.
On January 26, 2024, Joseph was hired by the Chicago Bears as their quarterbacks coach under head coach Matt Eberflus.[14]