The washed-up former Dolphins veteran only needs one game to make the Chargers look awesome

The LA Chargers surprisingly waived preseason standout AJ Finley to make room on the roster before last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. With Finley claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks, the Chargers were forced to scramble to replace Finley’s spot on the active roster.

Fortunately, for reasons that are still unclear, the Miami Dolphins waived veteran safety Marcus Maye with the rumored intention of re-signing him to the practice squad. The Chargers didn’t let that happen since they secured the former second-round pick before Week 13.

It didn’t take long for that decision to pay off and Maye made his former team look stupid. In one of the game’s biggest moments, with the Falcons on third-and-3 and trailing by four points, Maye hauled in a moonball from Kirk Cousins ​​for an interception, making it a four-point game.

To be fair, Maye certainly didn’t play like he was at his best with the Dolphins. It wasn’t like Miami gave up one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball without rhyme or reason.

However, Maye was someone who played a big role on defense and took quite a few shots on the defensive side of the ball. And while Pro Football Focus grades aren’t everything, it’s worth noting that Maye had a PFF grade of 71.2 before his waiver.

The Dolphins’ desire to keep Maye on the practice squad underscores the value the team saw in him as a veteran defensive back. Unfortunately, they played with fire and the Chargers got them burned.

Maye’s arrival in Los Angeles couldn’t have come at a better time (like his interception). The Chargers’ secondary is currently being decimated by injuries, and having a veteran who has amassed thousands of NFL snaps in a largely inexperienced secondary is huge.

The Chargers have been ahead of schedule this season, largely due to the smart moves of general manager Joe Hortiz. Maye’s assertion despite so many other teams allowing him to clear waivers is another example of the Chargers’ front office staying a step ahead of their competitors.

Hopefully this is one of several great moments for Maye in the powder blue. If his first game with the Chargers is any indication, this should be a fruitful partnership.

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