Former Bengals undrafted free agent uses the UFL to earn another shot at making it in the NFL
Former Cincinnati Bengals undrafted free agent signing Devonnsha Maxwell has found a new home in the NFL. Maxwell signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week.
Former Cincinnati Bengals undrafted free agent signing Devonnsha Maxwell has found a new home in the NFL.
Maxwell, fresh off his second season with the UFL’s DC Defenders, signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week.
Devonnsha Maxwell’s history with Bengals
Cincinnati was Maxwell’s first taste of the NFL. The Bengals signed the defensive tackle as a UDFA following the 2023 NFL Draft. He suffered an injury during his first training camp and the club placed him on the Reserve/Injured list prior to final cuts, ending his rookie season before it started. The decision helped Cincy keep him in the building for the entire year, and allowed him to come back in 2024.
Maxwell rehabbed with the Bengals and started training camp in 2024 on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He was activated on Aug. 12 of that year, and waived exactly a week later on Aug. 19. He didn’t play an NFL down that year and would sign with the Defenders in December.
From UFL stud back to NFL Long shot
DC has had Maxwell on its roster for the last two years. He posted 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a blocked kick during his debut season in 2025. The club retained him for 2026 and he helped the Defenders make the postseason and nearly win the championship.
Two years of UFL film and production has the Falcons ready to take a shot on Maxwell, but it will be a long shot.
Sports Illustrated’s Mike Kadlick gives Maxwell, one of 23 UFL players to sign an NFL contract this week, a 15% chance at making Atlanta’s roster.
Maxwell has been dominant in the trenches for the Defenders over the past two seasons, totaling 43 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks while helping DC to the UFL championship in 2025. He’ll compete with Brandon Dorlus, DaShawn Hand and Anterio Thompson in Atlanta’s defensive tackle room.
Chance to make 53-man roster: 15%
Mike Kadlick
Sports Illustrated Breaking and Trending News writer
Maxwell went nearly three full years without playing football due to injury and lack of opportunity. He proved he can still impress for one of the UFL’s best teams. He’ll now look to prove the Falcons right for taking a chance on him.
DC retains retain the rights to Maxwell if he makes a return to the UFL.