Allen Park — This time last year, Detroit Lions safety Avonte Maddox was simply trying to get his feet under him.
He was joining a new franchise for the first time since he entered the league as a rookie in 2018, not knowing how or when he'd fit into the team's plans. But after pinch-hitting for three starts and contributing 342 defensive snaps a season ago, he's well-versed in the defense of coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and looking like he'll be in consideration to start if Kerby Joseph and/or Brian Branch are unable to start the season.
"It's always a lot easier when you're going back into something for the second year," Maddox said. "First year's like a learning step — I mean, every year is a learning step, you keep learning and and learning, but you come in the next year after learning something for the first (time), it gets a little easier.
"So, that's kind of where I'm at now. There's a lot of coverages that I'm familiar with and already know, and I know the terminology a lot better, so it's easier now."
Maddox finished the 2025 season with 32 combined tackles, an interception and four pass breakups. That familiarity is paying off. After Thomas Harper started over Maddox in the place of the injured Joseph a season ago, Maddox is now firmly ahead of Harper on the depth chart to begin camp. He and veteran Chuck Clark appear to be the team's preferred choice through the first seven practices.
#maddox #like
He was joining a new franchise for the first time since he entered the league as a rookie in 2018, not knowing how or when he'd fit into the team's plans. But after pinch-hitting for three starts and contributing 342 defensive snaps a season ago, he's well-versed in the defense of coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and looking like he'll be in consideration to start if Kerby Joseph and/or Brian Branch are unable to start the season.
"It's always a lot easier when you're going back into something for the second year," Maddox said. "First year's like a learning step — I mean, every year is a learning step, you keep learning and and learning, but you come in the next year after learning something for the first (time), it gets a little easier.
"So, that's kind of where I'm at now. There's a lot of coverages that I'm familiar with and already know, and I know the terminology a lot better, so it's easier now."
Maddox finished the 2025 season with 32 combined tackles, an interception and four pass breakups. That familiarity is paying off. After Thomas Harper started over Maddox in the place of the injured Joseph a season ago, Maddox is now firmly ahead of Harper on the depth chart to begin camp. He and veteran Chuck Clark appear to be the team's preferred choice through the first seven practices.
#maddox #like
1 month ago
