free safety

American

noun

Football.

a member of a secondary, usually the deepest-playing defender, with no specific assignment at the snap of the ball, but often covering the area of the field across from the weak side of the opponent's offensive line against runs and long pass plays.

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free safety

Penciled in to start at free safety is Alohi Gilman, who is entering the final year of his contract.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2025

Alohi Gilman, the Chargers’ returning free safety from last season, has missed six games because of injuries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2025

Additionally, CSU provides an app linking students to the university's police department and offers a free safety escort service for campus and nearby student housing.

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2024

According to PFF, he had 489 yards at strong safety, 335 at free safety and 188 in the slot.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 13, 2024

It’s also possible that rising sophomore Adrian Wilson could move over from free safety next fall.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 5, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023