Marcus Maye Bio
Marcus Dajon Maye is an American professional football safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played in the NFL for the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Miami Dolphins, and he played college football for the Florida Gators. A native of Melbourne, Florida, Maye has earned recognition for his versatility in the secondary and was selected first-team All-American by USA Today during his collegiate career.
Early Life and Background
Marcus Dajon Maye was born on March 9, 1993, in Melbourne, Florida. He grew up in the Space Coast region and attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, where he played high school football. His development in the Melbourne area laid the foundation for his path to major-college recruiting.
Maye drew the attention of college programs with his coverage skills and tackling ability, eventually committing to the University of Florida. The combination of high school competition and a football-focused upbringing in Florida helped shape his understanding of the safety position before he arrived in Gainesville.
Path to American Football
Maye joined the Florida Gators and redshirted during the 2012 season, preserving a year of eligibility while adjusting to the college game. As a freshman in 2013, he appeared in eight games and recorded 16 tackles along with one interception, signaling his potential as a playmaker in the secondary.
Across his next three college seasons, Maye steadily expanded his role. In 2014, he played 11 games and posted 62 tackles, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and an interception. As a junior in 2015, he appeared in 12 games with 77 tackles, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. His senior season in 2016 saw him play nine games, totaling 50 tackles, a sack, and an interception, and he earned Second-team All-SEC recognition for that year.
Marcus Maye Career
Early Career (2017)
Marcus Dajon Maye entered the 2017 NFL Draft after receiving an invitation to the NFL Combine, where he chose not to perform drills and instead waited for Florida’s Pro Day. There, he completed all combine drills except the bench press and ran positional drills for team representatives. Analysts projected him as a second-round pick, ranking him as the fourth best free safety by NFLDraftScout.com, the seventh best safety by ESPN, and the eighth best safety by Sports Illustrated.
The New York Jets selected Maye in the second round with the 39th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the second safety chosen by the team after Jamal Adams went sixth overall. 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. He entered training camp competing with Adams and Calvin Pryor before head coach Todd Bowles named him the starting free safety.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Maye made his professional regular-season debut as a starter in the Jets’ season-opener at the Buffalo Bills, recording seven combined tackles in a 21–12 loss. During Week 5, he picked off Cleveland Browns quarterback Kevin Hogan for his first career interception, finishing his rookie year with 79 combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions across 16 starts.
In 2018, Maye missed the first three games with a foot injury, but in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos he intercepted Case Keenum and returned it 104 yards. The return set the NFL record for the longest interception return without scoring a touchdown. Injuries continued to interrupt his season, and he was placed on injured reserve on December 1, 2018. In 2019, he started all 16 games, finishing with 65 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defended. His 2020 campaign was a career year statistically, as he started all 16 games and recorded 88 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and two forced fumbles. The Jets placed the franchise tag on Maye on March 9, 2021, and he signed the one-year tender on March 22, 2021, before a torn Achilles in Week 9 ended his season and led to his placement on injured reserve.
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. He appeared in and started ten games during the 2022 season, finishing with 60 total tackles, two passes defended, and one forced fumble. The following year, Maye was suspended for three games on September 20, 2023, in response to a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and he was later placed on injured reserve on December 6. He started seven games in 2023 and tallied one sack, 37 total tackles, two interceptions, and two passes defended. The Saints released Maye on February 29, 2024.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–Present)
On June 13, 2024, Marcus Dajon Maye signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he played 11 games with three starts before being released on November 26. Two days later, on November 27, 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers claimed him off waivers. In his first stint with the Chargers, he made four appearances with one start, recording one interception, two pass deflections, and 12 combined tackles. The Chargers re-signed Maye to their practice squad on December 16, 2025, keeping him within the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Maye is recognized for his versatility across the secondary, with the ability to play deep as a center fielder or move into the box to support run defense and blitz. He pairs sound tackling with reliable coverage instincts, allowing defensive coordinators to deploy him in multiple looks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Maye’s signature moments is his 104-yard interception return against the Denver Broncos in 2018, which set the NFL record for the longest interception return without scoring a touchdown. He has also recorded an interception in each of his first four NFL seasons, underscoring his ball-hawking reputation.
Marcus Maye Career Wins
Marcus Dajon Maye has built a career as a steady contributor rather than a stat-sheet leader, with notable production in coverage and run support across multiple teams. His impact has been measured through interceptions, pass deflections, and tackling volume rather than major individual awards.
New York Jets Highlights
With the Jets, Maye started 80 regular-season games across five seasons, finishing with multiple interceptions in 2017, 2018, and 2020. He also recorded two sacks, 11 passes defended, and two forced fumbles during his 2020 campaign, while adding a late-game interception against Devlin Hodges and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 to seal a victory.
Other Wins & Performances
Maye posted 60 total tackles in 2022 and added two interceptions in 2023, demonstrating his ability to contribute quickly in a new defensive system. With the Los Angeles Chargers, he recorded an interception and 12 combined tackles in limited action during the 2024 season.
Marcus Maye Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Marcus Dajon Maye grew up in Melbourne, Florida, with family roots in the Space Coast community. His development in a football-rich region of the state influenced his early commitment to the sport.
Personal Life
Maye was born and raised in Melbourne, Florida, and has built his professional career around his commitment to the game. He has continued to live in the United States while playing for teams in different cities.
2025 Season Performance
Marcus Dajon Maye returned to the Los Angeles Chargers via the practice squad on December 16, 2025, rejoining the organization after his 2024 stint. His role with the team during the closing stretch of 2025 centers on providing veteran depth in the secondary and contributing on special teams.
Maye’s 2025 outlook is shaped by his prior production of one interception and 12 combined tackles in four games with the Chargers the previous year, along with his track record of starting experience from his time with the Jets and Saints. The Chargers’ defensive staff values his coverage instincts and tackling reliability, which positions him as a dependable option when called upon.