Marcus Dajon Maye Bio
Marcus Dajon Maye is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing about 207 pounds, Maye has built a reputation as a versatile defender who can line up across the secondary. He has previously played for the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Miami Dolphins, and he developed his game at the University of Florida.
Born in Melbourne, Florida, Maye entered the NFL in 2017 after a strong college career with the Florida Gators. He has been praised for his versatility and was selected first-team All-American by USA Today. Throughout his professional career, Maye has been known for his tackling, ball skills, and willingness to contribute in multiple roles on defense.
Early Life and Background
Marcus Dajon Maye was born on March 9, 1993, in Melbourne, Florida. He grew up in the Space Coast region of central Florida, an area better known for its beaches and aerospace industry than for producing NFL defensive backs. From an early age, Maye showed an interest in football, playing in youth leagues before moving on to high school competition.
Maye attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, where he played high school football and began to attract attention as a talented defensive back. His size, instincts, and willingness to support the run game set him apart at the prep level. The foundation he built in Melbourne helped him secure an opportunity to continue his football career at a major college program.
Recruiters recognized his upside, and Maye ultimately accepted a scholarship offer to play at the University of Florida. Leaving Melbourne for Gainesville was a major step in his development, both as an athlete and as a young man preparing for the demands of higher-level football.
Path to American Football
Maye’s path to professional football moved through the storied program at the University of Florida, where he joined the Florida Gators. He redshirted during his first year in 2012, using the time to learn the system, add strength, and adjust to the speed of the Southeastern Conference. The patience of that redshirt year paid off once he began competing for playing time.
As a freshman in 2013, Maye appeared in eight games and posted 16 tackles with an interception. He returned in 2014 as a sophomore and played 11 games, finishing with 62 tackles, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and an interception. By his junior season in 2015, he was a full-time starter, appearing in 12 games and producing 77 tackles, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
As a senior in 2016, Maye started nine games and totaled 50 tackles, a sack, and an interception. That season he earned Second-team All-SEC recognition, confirming his standing among the top defensive backs in college football. Following the year, he received an invitation to the NFL Combine and chose to perform most of his drills at Florida’s Pro Day, where he cemented his stock as a likely second-round pick.
Marcus Dajon Maye Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
The New York Jets selected Marcus Dajon Maye in the second round, 39th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the second safety taken by the team after LSU’s Jamal Adams. On May 23, 2017, the Jets signed him to a four-year, $6.55 million contract that included $3.66 million in guarantees and a $2.90 million signing bonus. Head coach Todd Bowles named Maye the starting free safety, where he paired with strong safety Jamal Adams to anchor the secondary.
Maye made his debut in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills and recorded seven combined tackles. He notched his first career interception in Week 5 off Cleveland Browns quarterback Kevin Hogan. In 2018, a foot injury forced him to miss the first three games, but he returned with a record-setting performance against Denver, picking off Case Keenum and returning the interception 104 yards. He finished his rookie campaign with 79 combined tackles and two interceptions, and his second season was cut short by a shoulder injury that sent him to injured reserve.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2019–2020)
In 2019, Maye started all 16 games and changed his uniform number from 26 to 20 to accommodate the signing of running back Le’Veon Bell. He finished the year with 65 total tackles, one interception, and seven passes defended, and he sealed a late-season win over Pittsburgh with a fourth-quarter interception off Devlin Hodges.
The 2020 season marked Maye’s most productive year as a Jet. He opened with a dominant performance against Buffalo, posting 10 tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. He added an interception off Ryan Fitzpatrick later in the year and forced a fumble on wide receiver Keenan Allen at the goal line against the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye closed the season with two sacks, 88 total tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and two forced fumbles, establishing himself as one of the league’s more complete safeties.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022–2023)
On March 16, 2022, the New Orleans Saints signed Marcus Dajon Maye to a three-year, $28.5 million contract, signaling their confidence in him as a veteran leader in the secondary. In his first season with New Orleans, he appeared in and started ten games, finishing with 60 total tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.
The 2023 season proved more difficult. On September 20, 2023, the NFL suspended Maye for three games under its substance abuse policy. He later landed on injured reserve on December 6 and appeared in only seven games, recording a sack, 37 tackles, two interceptions, and two passes defended. The Saints released him on February 29, 2024, ending his time in New Orleans.
Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
Maye signed with the Miami Dolphins on June 13, 2024, and played in 11 games with three starts before the team released him on November 26, 2024. The very next day, the Los Angeles Chargers claimed him off waivers, giving him an immediate opportunity to contribute on defense.
With Los Angeles, Maye made four appearances, including one start, and recorded one interception, two pass deflections, and 12 combined tackles. On December 16, 2025, the Chargers re-signed him to their practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on January 3, 2026, released on January 5, and then re-signed to the practice squad as he continued his role with the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Maye is widely regarded as a versatile safety who can play both deep coverage and in the box. His strength lies in open-field tackling, route recognition, and the willingness to support the run game. Coaches have praised his football IQ and his ability to communicate in the secondary, while his ball skills have produced interceptions and pass breakups throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Maye’s career came in 2018, when he returned an interception 104 yards against Denver, setting the NFL record for the longest interception return without scoring a touchdown. Other milestones include his 2016 Second-team All-SEC selection, his first-team All-American recognition from USA Today, his record-setting 88-tackle season in 2020, and his long-term contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.
Marcus Dajon Maye Career Wins
Marcus Dajon Maye’s win totals reflect a steady, durable career in the NFL rather than a single dominant run. Across the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers, he has produced consistent production in tackles, interceptions, and passes defended. His career NFL totals include 456 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 9 interceptions, 31 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
New York Jets Highlights
Maye spent the bulk of his early career with the Jets from 2017 through 2021. He appeared in 16 games as a rookie and quickly became a fixture at free safety, forming a productive pairing with Jamal Adams. His best statistical season in New York came in 2020, when he posted 88 total tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, two sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Jets, Maye has produced valuable seasons with the New Orleans Saints and shorter stints with the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers. He has consistently delivered tackles and turnovers at every stop, and his veteran presence has made him a steady contributor in secondary rooms across multiple organizations.
Marcus Dajon Maye Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Marcus Dajon Maye’s parents and broader family remains limited, and he is not widely documented as part of a football lineage.
Personal Life
Maye was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida, and has remained connected to his hometown throughout his professional career. Detailed information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not widely confirmed in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional chapter for Marcus Dajon Maye with the Los Angeles Chargers. After joining the team late in the 2024 campaign, he continued to provide veteran depth at safety and contributed on special teams. His role with the Chargers emphasized experience, communication, and reliability in the secondary.
Throughout the year, Maye recorded tackles and pass breakups while mentoring younger defensive backs within the defensive scheme. The Chargers used his versatility to align him in a variety of coverage packages and run-support situations.
Heading into the next phase of his contract, Maye remains a respected defensive contributor whose career NFL statistics now include 456 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 9 interceptions, 31 pass deflections, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. His ongoing presence on the roster reflects the value teams continue to place on his experience and football intelligence.