The Miami Dolphins’ safety room just got a little more dangerous. NFL free agent safety Marcus Maye and Miami agreed to terms on a contract for the 2024-2025 season Monday. Maye had multiple teams interested in him, but the eight-year NFL veteran decided to go with the Dolphins because he loved the roster and believed it’s a Super Bowl contender, according to Jordan Shultz. No contract details have been reported. However, Miami has an estimated $18.5 million in cap space to work with.
Miami Adds Veteran Leadership in Safety Room Before Camp
Maye’s NFL Resume
Maye, a 2017 second-round draft choice by the New York Jets out of the University of Florida, spent his first five years in the league working as a free safety. The Melbourne, Florida, native recorded four out of his five career forced fumbles and intercepted the ball six times, including one that was returned for 104 yards, when he was with the Jets.
In 2022, Maye signed with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year deal, but missed a majority of last season due to a shoulder injury and served a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. This violation originated from his arrest in 2021 in Florida on charges of DUI after his involvement in a car crash in Fort Lauderdale.
The Saints released Maye before this year’s free agency in June. The safety has appeared in 77 games and garnered 409 total tackles, eight interceptions, and 4.5 sacks throughout his career.
Current State of Miami’s Safety Room
Maye joins an already impressive safety group in Miami that includes Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Nik Needham, Elijah Campbell, and rookies Patrick Morris and Mark Perry. Sixth-round selection Morris and undrafted rookie free agent Perry recently inked their rookie deals this summer while Needham, Campbell, and Holland are the only returning Dolphins from last year’s roster.
The addition of Maye does put rookies such as Morris and Perry at risk. With a thin line to make it into a 53-man roster by Aug. 29, the inclusion of a veteran like Maye could kick one of them off the roster through training camp.
Poyer, similar to Maye, is the only other veteran safety to join Miami this offseason from free agency. The Pro Bowl safety signed a one-year deal worth $2 million March 24. Poyer’s experience consist of 12 years in the NFL — including seven years playing in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills.
Poyer, 33, is seen as the most likely candidate to start week one as the first string strong safety. However, even though Maye played free safety for most of his career, he transitioned to strong safety while in New Orleans. This can give Maye an advantage in potentially becoming a usual starter for Miami and replacing Poyer.
When does Maye take the field?
The Dolphins concluded a mini-training camp on June 6. Miami and company will see Maye on the field once they return for training camp at the Baptist Health Training Complex in late July.
Main Photo: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
