Eagles Rumors: Avonte Maddox Released, New Contract Possible in 2024 NFL Free Agency

If cornerback Avonte Maddox is going to return to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, it will reportedly have to be on a new contract.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles released Maddox on Wednesday. The veteran had a $9.6 million salary cap for the upcoming season prior to this move.

Schefter noted “the two sides will keep talking and are open to a reunion.”

Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice echoed those sentiments when he noted “the team loves Maddox, and will likely try to bring him back at a lower contract” even though “there was never a chance” it was going to keep him under his previous contract.

Talent has never been the question for the 27-year-old, who the Eagles selected with a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

Rather, durability has been after he played just four games last season because of a torn pectoral muscle after appearing in nine games in 2022. What’s more, he missed six games in 2020, four games in 2019 and three games in 2018.

As Kempski detailed, Maddox’s absence led to a rotating group of slot cornerbacks for the Eagles last season in James Bradberry, Mario Goodrich, Bradley Roby, Josiah Scott, Sydney Brown and Eli Ricks.

It was a major reason they finished 31st in the league with 252.7 passing yards allowed per game.

The last time Maddox was largely healthy was the 2021 campaign when he finished with 73 tackles, nine passes defended, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one interception in 16 games.

That type of production in 2024 would be quite the boost for an Eagles secondary that struggled last season, but they will have to come to terms on a new contract and hope he can stay healthy and return to form.

For now, he is scheduled to hit the open market as a free agent following Wednesday’s move.