Avonte Maddox is signing up for another season in Detroit. The Lions announced Monday they have agreed to terms to bring back the veteran defensive back.
The longtime Eagles slot defender played 14 games, starting three, with the Lions last season. This will be Year 9 for Maddox in the NFL. Maddox played out a one-year, $1.42MM deal in 2025; the Lions received a nice return on that low investment.
Used mostly as a slot cornerback in Philly, Maddox played corner and safety during his first Detroit season. The Lions deployed Maddox more often as a safety, and Pro Football Focus viewed his work positively, grading the nine-year vet eighth at the position. Detroit is loaded at safety, with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph entrenched as starters, but both battled injuries in 2025. Branch suffered an Achilles tear late in the season; it is not a lock he is ready to return by Week 1. In Maddox, Detroit reacquires some insurance.
More to come.