A tattoo that once symbolized Avonte Maddox’s loyalty to his hometown team has now become a reality—he’s officially a Detroit Lion.
As reported by NFL Network, the seasoned cornerback has agreed to a one-year contract with Detroit. His addition brings the team’s total number of cornerbacks under contract for the 2025 season to seven. Maddox will be joining a defensive backfield that includes D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver, who secured a reserve/future deal earlier this year.
A Homecoming for Maddox
Maddox, a Detroit native and former Martin Luther King High School standout, is making his way back to his roots after spending seven seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the 28-year-old defender departs Philadelphia fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory.
His signing represents another strategic depth move for the Lions, who are looking to strengthen their secondary with experienced talent. In the previous season, Maddox appeared in 17 games, contributing 345 snaps on defense and an additional 193 on special teams.
Versatility and Experience for Detroit’s Defense
With the ability to play multiple roles in the secondary—ranging from cornerback to safety—Maddox’s skill set will be crucial for the Lions, especially after Ifeatu Melifonwu’s move to the Miami Dolphins. His proven track record as both a starter and a reliable depth piece offers much-needed stability to a Detroit defense that has faced injury challenges in recent years.
