The inevitable took a step closer to becoming reality on Sunday, with Byron Maxwell agreeing to a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to multiple reports, including one by ESPN’s Josina Anderson, who was told by Maxwell, “I’m going to Philly.”
Maxwell, a sixth-round pick in 2011, was Seattle’s starting right cornerback in 2014 and at the end of the 2013 season when Brandon Browner was suspended, and while the Seahawks would have preferred to keep Maxwell, they knew they weren’t going to afford one of the top free agents on the market after paying big bucks to three other members of their secondary in recent years, and with Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner, among others, entering the final year of their contracts. In multiple interviews since the end of the season, Seahawks general manager John Schneider has talked about how much the Seahawks like Maxwell while also sounding resigned to the idea that they wouldn’t be able to afford to keep him. The deal can’t become official until the new league year begins Tuesday, but Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post has the details of a contract worth as much as $63 million, including $25 million in guaranteed money.
Byron Maxwell six-yr. $63M Eagles deal: $25M guaranteed, $13.5M 1st year, $22M through 2 yrs, $32M through 3, $42M through 4, $52M through 5
— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) March 8, 2015
With Maxwell gone, Tharold Simon is the likely starter along with Richard Sherman as of now, but the Seahawks are almost certain to add help at that position either in free agency or the draft or both, so there will likely be competition for a starting job this summer.
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