The Detroit Lions front office made it an offseason priority to keep most of their core together for a Super Bowl run in 2025. Despite the significant changes in the coaching staff, the Lions wanted to retain most of their key free agents for next season.
That doesn’t mean, however, that there will not be new faces on the team. One of the biggest changes came in the secondary. Carlton Davis signed with the New England Patriots and was replaced by D.J. Reed. Kindle Vildor and Ifeatu Melifonwu also left in free agency.
Another secondary defender the Lions signed was Detroit native Avonte Maddox. The 28-year-old, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Eagles, is returning home on a one-year deal. Recently, Maddox’s video from four years ago showing his Lions tattoo surfaced. In the footage, he shows the inside of his left arm with the Lions logo and the words “Lion Hearted”.
Avonte Maddox’s Detroit Homecoming Should Boost Lions Defense
Maddox was born and raised in Detroit, going to Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Downtown Detroit. After leaving Michigan to go to Pittsburgh for college, Maddox became a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Last season, Maddox won his first Super Bowl with the Eagles after appearing in 33% of defensive snaps and 43% of special teams snaps. He primarily lined up in the slot but has experience playing at safety and on the outside earlier in his career.
The Lions have Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, and DJ Reed on the outside and Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch at safety. With the addition of Maddox into the mix, that is a scary group. If Detroit can add another elite pass-rusher and some defensive line depth, the defense should take a significant step forward.
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