Chip Kelly has finally decided to use some of his cap space. The Philadelphia Eagles have reportedly struck a deal to land free agent corner Byron Maxwell. The fourth member of the Seahawks legion of boom will now reside in the city of brotherly love. ESPN’s Josina Anderson recently spoke to Maxwell.
I just got off the phone with CB Byron Maxwell. Maxwell told me directly, “I’m going to Philly.” #Eagles
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 8, 2015
Host of KBME SportsTalk 790 in Houston, Texas originally broke the story.
Byron Maxwell deal is done. Guarantee came in higher after more discussion. Byron Maxwell will become an Eagle Tuesday w/ $25 mil guaranteed
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 8, 2015
Deal also changed from 6 year $63 mil. It’s now reportedly set to be a 5 year deal around $53 to 54 million. Byron Maxwell / Eagles
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 8, 2015
The news of the contract figures comes as a shock to me. The $25 million in guaranteed money ranks 5th amongst corners only behind Richard Sherman, Patrick Peterson, Brandon Carr, and Aqib Talib. Maxwell is a 27 year old corner who was aided by the presence of Richard Sherman on the opposite side of the field. A contract north of $10 million dollars a year is complete blasphemy for a player who has never been the teams number one corner. Buster Skrine of the Cleveland Browns is another player who is expected to receiver a hefty pay day based off the fact Joe Haden plays beside him.
The Eagles have had some bad luck in regards to signing free agent corners including Cary Williams, Bradley Fletcher, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Asante Samuel to name a few. Each of those players were released before the end of their contracts. I’m afraid the Eagles have overpaid for yet another corner who was undeserving of $54 million dollars. Cary Williams, who was recently released by Philadelphia is rumored to be close to a deal with Seattle will show fans being opposite of Richard Sherman can prove to make a huge difference. It will be interesting to see what else Chip Kelly has up his sleeves.
