When Avonte Maddox was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles last week, he wasted little time in searching for a new team. Though it seems like Maddox and the Eagles would be willing to stay together, that may not materialize if the Saints decide he’s a good fit and are prepared to put that in writing.
After six years of service with the Eagles, the University of Pittsburg fourth-round 2018 draft pick was released, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Eagles may have made a smart move to gain power in talks, but the Saints are the team that other teams will be most interested in signing.
In the NFL, free agency officially starts on Wednesday. At that point, teams can swarm upon the important players who are out there seeking employment, much like vultures, once the starter pistol goes off. Because of his release, Avonte Maddox was able to consider alternative possibilities early, and the Saints appeared to be staring in his direction as if their heads had jerked back.
Over the past few years, there have been ups and downs for the Saints’ cornerback position. Dennis Allen had to sit Alontae Taylor down and put Ugo Amadi in his place after he experienced some stumbles just a year ago. Recall that Amadi was traded to the Eagles in 2022, and a little over ten days later, he was traded to the Titans. Later, while playing for the Chiefs against the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, he would get his ring. In the NFL, things have a tendency of working themselves out, and in 2023, Karma signed a contract with the Saints.
This is the situation Avonte Maddox is getting himself into. With Paulson Adebo making headlines and Marshon Lattimore being one of the best in the business, despite rumors the Saints might trade him, Maddox has an uphill battle if he wants to shine in the NFC South with a fleur-de-lis on his helmet.
Can Avonte Maddox Bring It?
For the past few years, he’s been injured which has resulted in him only being in 14 games over the last two season. Last year, he tore his pectoral muscle in the second week and didn’t return until the last two games of the season. That’s a lot of missed games.
But when he’s playing, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Throughout his career, he’s had 250 tackles, he’s forced 8 fumbles, he’s had 3 sacks, and intercepted 4 times. In 2021, he signed a three-year extension to his contract in the amount of $22.5 million that came with a $5 million signing bonus and salary of $7.5 million, which means that he was going into his last year on that agreement.
A player doesn’t see that kind of money on the table unless the team finds him to be invaluable. But that was back in 2021 and the last two years might have changed their minds. Afterall, it is just business and that business means winning. If you’re sitting, you’re not playing and teams ultimately are only trying to pay the players who are playing.
Is Avonte Maddox Done With The Eagles?
CBS News reports that releasing Maddox was a smart move because it will save them $1.9 million. But they also report that the team would love to see him back at the negotiation table which means they would most likely want to regnotiate that contract. If this move is all for leverage, they might have missed out on a good player.
Maddox will definitely add value to the Saints defense. He’ll get comfortable in New Orleans if he decides to call it home, which will make the fans happy. One more weapon in their quiver to stop the offense never hurt.
Leave a Reply