Just a year ago, the Detroit Lions’ safety situation looked set for the future. With Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch playing at All-Pro levels and still both younger than 25, Detroit looked set on the back end.
Unfortunately, life can come at you fast in the NFL. With both players dealing with injuries for the majority of the 2025 season, their futures remain uncertain in both the short and long-term. But the Lions can help mitigate that issue in 2026 by ensuring they don’t lose one of their best safety insurance policies: Avonte Maddox.
Let’s dig into Maddox’s free agent profile in the second installment of our roster-wide series.
Previous Lions free agent profiles: LB Malcolm Rodriguez
Avonte Maddox
Expectations were relatively low for Maddox, considering his exit with the Philadelphia Eagles. After years of up-and-down play, Maddox was surpassed by rookie Cooper DeJean. At 29 years old, Maddox appeared to be nearing the end of his career, but his versatility in playing outside corner, nickel, and even some reps as a dime safety.
But with a cornerback room that featured Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Rock Ya-Sin, and Khalil Dorsey, Maddox faced an uphill battle to even make the roster, let alone find time on the field.
However, when training camp started, Maddox began getting reps at safety, as the Lions were much thinner over there. With only Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph clearly ahead of him on the depth chart, it became clear Maddox likely had a path to the 53-man roster, despite his limited experience at the position.
Actual role in 2025
Note: PFF rankings reflect a minimum 20% snaps at that position.
Season stats:
- 14 games (3 starts): 32 tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
- 342 defensive snaps, 88 special teams snaps
PFF defensive grade: 79.1 (10th out of 107)
PFF run defense grade: 75.8 (28th out of 107)
PFF coverage grade: 75.0 (t-12th out of 107)
PFF special teams grade: 67.3
Maddox, indeed, made the team, although he was challenged for the primary backup safety spot by waiver wire pickup Thomas Harper. When Kerby Joseph went down early in the year, it was Harper who stepped in. But a month later, when Brian Branch suffered a torn Achilles, it was Maddox’s turn to step up.
Forced into the game against the Cowboys, Maddox was outstanding, totalling eight tackles, a pass defense, and a 90.3 PFF grade in 80 snaps despite not going into the game as a starter.
“Maddox went in there for him the other day, and we thought he did a hell of a job, he really did,” Dan Campbell said after the game. “I mean, he played his tail off, which is why he’s here, because he’s a football guy. He’s got versatility, nickel that can play safety. Man, he put out a lot of fires back there for us, made quite a few plays.”
While Maddox didn’t continue that extremely high level of play the rest of the season, he was pretty darn reliable, posting a PFF grade of 83 or higher in two of the other three starts he made.
Outlook for 2026
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent
Pros of re-signing
First of all, the Lions need safeties. With Joseph’s future unknown and Branch likely to miss the start of the season, Detroit could theoretically have both starting jobs open in Week 1 of 2026. Maddox now has experience in Detroit’s scheme and proof of reliability in a starting role.
Additionally, Maddox has demonstrated he’s a team player worthy of the Lions’ culture. Not only did he go through a position change, but he also played a healthy dose of special teams, something that not every veteran is willing to do.
Cons of re-signing
There aren’t many. I suppose the Lions could invest their resources into a younger option who could provide more long-term stability at the safety position, but signing Maddox wouldn’t prevent that from happening.
Is there interest from both sides?
I would think so.
For one, Maddox is a Detroit native and seemed to enjoy his time with the team. Seeing as there’s an opportunity for playing time and hopes for a Super Bowl, it’s hard to imagine any other destination more ideal for Maddox.
From the Lions’ side, they clearly were impressed by his level of play last year.
Cost?
This should be another benefit of re-signing Maddox: he’ll come relatively cheap.
Last year, he signed with the Lions at the vet minimum with just over $1 million guaranteed. I believe he’s earned a raise this year, but he should still be considered a cost-effective signing somewhere in the $2-3 million range. That is exactly the type of signing the Lions love to make, and it allows them to focus on bigger areas of need.
Conclusion
To me, this is one of the bigger no-brainers when it comes to the Lions’ decisions with their own free agents. Maddox is a local, he proved he can be a starting safety in this scheme, he’s low-cost, and if everything works out with Detroit’s health at safety, you’d love to still have Maddox there as reliable depth.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this was one of the first re-signings the Lions take care of before free agency even opens up.
See More:
