Defensive back Avonte Maddox, who appeared in 81 games with 41 starts over seven years with the Eagles, is joining the Lions, as reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Maddox began last season as the Eagles’ starting slot corner but was replaced during the bye week by rookie Cooper DeJean, who went on to have an outstanding season, including a pick-6 against Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.

Maddox struggled during the first four games but performed better after that in a reduced role as a backup slot corner and safety.

He ended the season with a defensive passer rating of 74.8, ranking 13th among 126 cornerbacks who were targeted at least 20 times, according to Stathead. He allowed only 8.4 yards on 15 completions, the 4th-lowest in that group, and his 4.3 yards per target allowed was 2nd-best in the league.

With the additions of Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo entering his third year, the Eagles now have a full cornerback group and are relying on Sydney Brown to become the third safety. Therefore, there was no spot for Maddox on the roster.

Maddox was one of the Eagles’ two 4th-round picks in 2018, along with Josh Sweat, who also left as a free agent.

Maddox’s departure leaves only five players remaining from before Nick Sirianni became head coach in 2021: Lane Johnson, Jake Elliott, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Mailata, and Jalen Hurts.

Since the end of the season, the Eagles have parted ways with five defensive backs: Darius Slay, James Bradberry, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Isaiah Rodgers, and now Maddox. This includes four of their seven defensive backs who played more than 300 snaps – Gardner-Johnson (908), Slay (699), Maddox (345), and Rodgers (328).

In total, seven of 16 defensive players who played at least 300 snaps in 2024 are no longer with the team.

Maddox started nine games and had two interceptions as a rookie in 2018, later becoming a reliable spot starter through 2021. He signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract extension late in 2021 but missed eight games in 2022 due to toe and hamstring injuries, and then missed 13 games in 2023 due to a pec injury.

The Eagles released Maddox last March, only to re-sign him a month later with a pay cut. According to Spotrac, he earned approximately $21.2 million in his seven seasons with the Eagles.

Maddox’s 90 career games played, including the postseason, is the 9th-most in Eagles history by a cornerback.

Over those 90 games, he recorded three interceptions, 36 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, 13 tackles for loss, and three sacks.

The Eagles have also lost Sweat, Milton Williams, Mekhi Becton, Oren Burks, Kenny Gainwell, Rodgers, and Fred Johnson in free agency.