Former Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is still searching for his next NFL opportunity. But it could possibly come with the defending Super Bowl champions.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported this week the Seattle Seahawks hosted Melifonwu for a workout.
Garafolo made clear the Seahawks don’t plan to sign the safety in the immediate future. But Seattle could do that down the road.
“Former Dolphins and Lions S Ifeatu Melifonwu worked out for the Seahawks today,” Garafolo wrote on X on Monday. “No signing imminent for Melifonwu, who played in 16 games with eight starts last year, but he could be in play in Seattle down the line.”
The Lions selected Melifonwu from Syracuse at No. 101 overall in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He started 14 contests while appearing in 37 games over four seasons for the Lions.
Last season, Melifonwu started eight games while playing in 16 for the Miami Dolphins.
Seahawks Work Out Ex-Lions Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu: Report
GettyNFL Network’s Mike Garafolor reported former Detroit Lions third-round safety Ifeatu Melifonwu worked out for the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.
In NFL free agency, the Seahawks lost starting safety Coby Bryant. That could have made Melifonwu an intriguing potential addition in March.
But Seattle inked D’Anthony Bell and Rodney Thomas to 1-year contracts in free agency. The Seahawks then selected TCU’s Bud Clark during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
With those three safeties in the fold, the team doesn’t really need Melifonwu as well. But the Seahawks appeared to approach Monday’s workout as a meet and greet for the veteran defensive back in case they need another safety at any point this summer.
In four seasons with Detroit, Melifonwu registered 72 combined tackles, including six for loss. He also had 13 pass defenses, seven quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions. Both of his interceptions came in 2023.
During the 2023 campaign, Melifonwu was coming on strongly late in the season. He started the final five regular season contests and then all three of the team’s postseason games.
But during 2024 training camp, Melifonwu suffered an ankle injury and went on injured reserve. During his recovery, the safety then dislocated a finger, which sidelined him longer.
Both injuries only allowed Melifonwu to play in three contests during 2024.
After the season, Melifonwu became a free agent when the Lions allowed his contract to expire. The safety signed a 1-year, $4 million contract with the Dolphins last March.
Lions Safety Depth Entering 2026
GettyDetroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell is entering his sixth season as the team’s head coach.
With the Seahawks unlikely to sign Melifonwu soon, the veteran safety is still available for the Lions to bring back this summer. On June 9, A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton included the safety on a list of four players the Lions should consider bringing back.
“Melifonwu is still out there right now. He actually worked out with the Seahawks on Monday,” wrote Payton. “While I think the Lions are pretty set at safety right now, even without Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, there’s no harm in bringing in a guy who’s been a part of the system and played well in it.”
But the team has made no indications that it is interested in that possibility.
Instead of pursuing Melifonwu, the Lions signed veteran safeties Chuck Clark and Christian Izien this offseason. The team also has Avonte Maddox back along with Dan Jackson, Loren Strickland and Thomas Harper.
If everything works out, those six safeties will offer depth behind Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Branch and Joseph are still rehabbing from their 2025 injuries.
If Branch and/or Joseph aren’t ready for the beginning of the regular season, perhaps the Lions become a more likely suitor for Melifonwu. But for now, Melifonwu is trying to find an opportunity with another team somewhere else in the league.
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