The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face to bolster their secondary depth, signing veteran safety Marcus Maye to the practice squad. With injuries piling up at the position, Los Angeles is turning to experience-and Maye brings plenty of it.
Maye, 32, isn’t new to the Chargers’ locker room. He finished last season with the team and now returns as a steady presence who knows the system and understands what’s expected. To make room for Maye, the Chargers waived running back Royce Freeman.
A second-round pick by the Jets in 2017, Maye’s career has been a mix of high-level production and tough injury setbacks. He wrapped up his rookie contract with New York in 2020, a deal worth $6.554 million, including over $4 million guaranteed.
The Jets valued him enough to place the franchise tag on him for the 2021 season, paying him $10.5 million that year. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after just six games due to a torn Achilles.
Still, Maye’s talent kept him in demand. The Saints signed him to a three-year, $28.5 million deal in 2022, hoping he could anchor their secondary.
But after two seasons in New Orleans, the team moved on. Maye then signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins, who waived him in late November.
That’s when the Chargers stepped in, claiming him off waivers and giving him a brief stint to close out the season.
Across the 2024 campaign, Maye appeared in 15 games-11 with Miami and four with the Chargers. He tallied 42 total tackles, including one for a loss, added an interception, and broke up three passes. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they reflect a veteran who still knows how to find the football and contribute when called upon.
For the Chargers, this move is less about making headlines and more about adding reliability. With their secondary battling injuries, Maye offers a plug-and-play option who won’t need a crash course to get up to speed. He’s been in the league long enough to know how to prepare, and with his familiarity in the building, he could be called up quickly if the team needs help on game day.
It’s a smart, low-risk move for a team that’s trying to stay afloat in a competitive AFC. Maye might not be the long-term answer, but right now, he’s exactly what the Chargers need: a veteran with experience, toughness, and the ability to step in when the lights come on.