Avonte Maddox signs with Detroit Lions for one year

Avonte Maddox, a former cornerback and safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, has signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions. The news was first announced by his girlfriend on Instagram and later confirmed by PhillyVoice through a league source. Maddox was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round in 2018 and played for them for seven seasons. Throughout his career, he showed talent as a slot cornerback but often faced health issues. As he turns 29 at the end of March, Maddox experienced challenges last season. He struggled early in 2024 and was benched in favor of rookie Cooper DeJean after Week 5. During a key game, the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Maddox was targeted frequently by the opposing offense. However, he did have a memorable moment in the Super Bowl, making a crucial defensive play against Patrick Mahomes. While Maddox may not be among the top slot corners now, he is valuable as a versatile backup. He is also known for being a positive presence in the locker room, mentoring younger players like DeJean. The Eagles currently have limited depth at the slot corner position. Maddox will join another Super Bowl-contending team in Detroit, where he attended high school.