Following the blueprint of targeting and signing young players to build around, the Eagles have inked Avonte Maddox to a three-year, $22.5M ($13.3M guaranteed) contract extension. After watching his best friend and roommate Dallas Goedert cash in, Maddox now signs a deal of his own to stay in Philadelphia.
The deal itself is fair. Overall, Maddox’ contract is on par with other top slot corners in the NFL (Kenny Moore, Bryce Callahan, Jonathan Jones). However, markets tend to reset in the offseason and with a long list of corners entering the free agency market in 2022 — it was a smart decision to act now.
After an up-and-down start to his young career, Maddox came into his own in 2021 and has been a force in the slot for the Birds. Finally returning to the position that he plays best, the young Pitt product has reminded everyone why he deserved the buzz after being taken by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2018 draft.
With 36 tackles, 1 sack and 1 INT, the stats don’t exactly show just how valuable Avonte has been to this defense. However, it only takes a quick examination of his play on Sunday’s to show that this man has been one of Philly’s most consistent defenders in 2021.
It was writing on the wall after Jonathan Gannon took over at defensive coordinator that Maddox was in for a boost in opportunity — and he took that opportunity and ran with it. Being tasked with covering slot receivers, tight ends and running backs, Avonte’s high IQ and versatility fit in seamlessly with Gannon’s malleable — and still evolving — scheme. While the defense as a whole has struggled, Maddox has been a major reason why the pass defense has been able to stay afloat. Through 10 games, he has allowed only 32 receptions for 193 yards in coverage. He has also been a steady tackler, with a missed tackle percentage of only 7.7%.
While the front office will still have to confront what could potentially be a major face lift on the defensive side of the football, Howie Roseman and co. have locked in one of the more promising young players on the team for 3 more years.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
