Marcus Maye

Marcus Dajon Maye Bio

Marcus Dajon Maye is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. Born on March 9, 1993, in Melbourne, Florida, Maye has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most versatile safeties during his career spanning multiple teams. He was selected first-team All-American by USA Today and has earned recognition for his ability to impact games from the safety position. Maye was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and has since established himself as a reliable defensive playmaker in the league.

Early Life and Background

Maye grew up in Melbourne, Florida, where he attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. During his high school years, he played football and developed the foundational skills that would carry him to the collegiate level. His performance at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy caught the attention of college scouts and set the stage for his recruitment to a major football program.

At Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Maye distinguished himself as a high school football player, demonstrating the athleticism and football intelligence that would serve him well at the next level. His early exposure to competitive football in Florida’s robust high school football environment provided him with valuable experience against quality opponents.

Path to Professional Football

Maye accepted a scholarship to play college football at the University of Florida, joining the Florida Gators program in 2012. He redshirted during his freshman season in 2012, using that year to adjust to the collegiate level and develop physically and mentally. This redshirt year proved beneficial as he entered competition with greater preparation and understanding of the college game.

His collegiate career at Florida spanned four seasons from 2013 to 2016. Maye showed consistent improvement each year, displaying his range as a safety with increasing tackle totals and playmaking ability. He earned Second-team All-SEC honors in 2016, his senior season, highlighting his status as one of the top safeties in the conference. His college career positioned him as one of the premier safety prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Marcus Dajon Maye Career

New York Jets (2017-2021)

The New York Jets selected Maye in the second round with the 39th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $6.55 million with $3.66 million guaranteed and a $2.90 million signing bonus. Maye entered training camp competing for a starting role and earned the starting free safety position alongside Jamal Adams.

Maye made his professional debut in the Jets’ season-opener against the Buffalo Bills. He recorded his first career interception in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns during a victory. His rookie season saw him start all 16 games, finishing with 79 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions. The 2018 season brought injuries, including a foot injury and broken thumb, but he returned to make significant plays including an NFL-record 104-yard interception return that fell just one yard short of a touchdown.

Throughout his Jets tenure, Maye emerged as a defensive leader. In 2019, he changed his jersey number from 26 to 20 to accommodate Le’Veon Bell’s arrival. The 2020 season proved his healthiest and most productive, as he started all 16 games with 88 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. The Jets placed the franchise tag on him in March 2021, but his season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 9, placing him on injured reserve.

New Orleans Saints (2022-2023)

On March 16, 2022, Maye signed with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year contract worth $28.5 million. This move represented a significant step in his career as he joined a Saints defense seeking experienced secondary help. In his first season with the team, Maye appeared in ten games, recording 60 total tackles and two passes defended.

The 2023 season brought challenges. In September 2023, Maye received a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He was later placed on injured reserve in December, limiting him to just seven games. Despite the difficulties, he recorded 37 tackles, two interceptions, and two passes defended. The Saints released Maye on February 29, 2024, ending his two-year tenure in New Orleans.

Miami Dolphins (2024)

Maye joined the Miami Dolphins in June 2024, signing with his hometown team. He appeared in 11 games with three starts for Miami, recording 12 combined tackles, one interception, and two pass deflections. His time with the Dolphins was brief, as the team released him in November 2024 after just a few months of service.

Los Angeles Chargers (2024-Present)

The Los Angeles Chargers claimed Maye off waivers on November 27, 2024. He made four appearances with one start for the Chargers in the remainder of the 2024 season, recording 12 combined tackles and one interception. His versatility and experience brought depth to the Chargers’ secondary.

In December 2025, the Chargers re-signed Maye to their practice squad, and he was promoted to the active roster in January 2026. This demonstrated the team’s continued interest in his defensive capabilities. Maye was later released and re-signed to the practice squad, maintaining his connection to the organization as he continued his NFL career.

Defensive Style and Strengths

Maye has earned praise throughout his career for his versatility in the secondary. His ability to play both safety positions, contribute against the run, and cover receivers makes him a valuable asset in multiple defensive schemes. He demonstrates strong instincts in reading quarterbacks and breaking on passes, evidenced by his interception totals. Maye’s tackling ability in space and willingness to support the run game distinguish him as a complete safety rather than a coverage-only player.

Notable Events and Milestones

One of Maye’s most memorable plays came in 2018 when he returned an interception 104 yards against the Denver Broncos, setting an NFL record for the longest interception return without scoring a touchdown. His 2017 draft selection as the 39th overall pick reflected his status as a highly regarded safety prospect, and his immediate insertion into the Jets’ starting lineup validated that selection. Maye’s career has included overcoming injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2021, demonstrating his resilience and dedication to the sport.

Marcus Dajon Maye Career Statistics

Maye has accumulated impressive statistics throughout his NFL career spanning from 2017 to 2025. His career totals reflect his consistency and ability to make plays in various aspects of the game. He has demonstrated durability when healthy and has been a reliable starter throughout his professional career.

Career Highlights

Maye’s career highlights include his rookie interception totals, his record-setting 104-yard interception return, and his 2020 season performance with career-high 88 tackles and 11 passes defended. His ability to force turnovers stands out, with nine career interceptions and five forced fumbles. He has shown the capacity to make game-changing plays while maintaining the consistency expected of a starting NFL safety.

Professional Career Totals

Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, Maye has recorded 456 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 31 pass deflections, and nine interceptions. These statistics underscore his well-rounded game and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the defense.

Family

Public information regarding Marcus Maye’s family background, including his parents and family lineage in football, remains limited. Maye maintains a private personal life away from the football field, and details about his family members are not widely reported in public sources.

Personal Life

Maye is a native of Melbourne, Florida, where he attended high school before embarking on his college and professional football career. His journey from Melbourne to becoming an NFL player has been noted as part of his story. Maye’s professional career has taken him to multiple cities, including New York, New Orleans, Miami, and Los Angeles. Information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season saw Maye continue his professional football career with the Los Angeles Chargers organization. His journey during this season included time on both the active roster and practice squad, reflecting the competitive nature of NFL rosters. The Chargers valued his experience and versatility, bringing him back multiple times during the season.

Maye’s role with the Chargers evolved throughout the 2025 season as the team navigated roster decisions and injuries in the secondary. His promotion from the practice squad to the active roster demonstrated the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities. Despite roster fluctuations, Maye maintained his professionalism and readiness to contribute when called upon.

The Chargers’ defensive scheme allowed Maye to utilize his versatility and experience in the secondary. His familiarity with multiple safety positions and ability to play in various coverage looks made him a valuable depth piece for the team. As the season progressed, Maye continued working toward establishing himself as a consistent contributor with the organization for the future.