What was once [a symbolic tattoo on his arm](https://x.com/JeffSkversky/status/1453805109608132611), representing his love for his hometown team, is now Avonte Maddox’s professional home.
According to NFL Network, the veteran cornerback has signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions. With this move, the Lions now have seven cornerbacks under contract heading into the 2025 season. Maddox joins D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver, who signed a reserve/future deal in January.
Maddox, a Detroit native who played high school football at Martin Luther King High School in Detroit, leaves the Philadelphia Eagles — who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft — after seven seasons.
The 28-year-old defender is yet another key depth move made by the Lions. Fresh off a Super Bowl LIX win with the Eagles, Maddox brings valuable knowledge and experience that can help a young Lions secondary.
In 17 games last season, Maddox logged 345 snaps on defense and 193 on special teams.
Maddox, who has experience playing all roles in the secondary — from cornerback to safety — brings the versatility the Lions need after Ifeatu Melifonwu departed to join the Miami Dolphins. He’s also a proven and experienced starter when needed, something that will bode well for a team that has dealt with injuries in the secondary in recent years.