March 08, 2015
Bryon Maxwell is expected to join the Eagles Tuesday when free agency begins, a source confirmed to PhillyVoice.com. The news was first reported by Jayson Braddock of KBME SportsTalk 790 in Houston, TX:
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
To note, this is merely the "legal tampering" phase of free agency, and nothing is official until the signature is on the contract. In other words, anything can happen between now and Tuesday, but the deal is expected to be done.
In 2014, the Eagles' secondary was awful. It gave up 72 pass plays of 20+ yards, which was the most in the NFL, and the third most in league history. It also gave up 18 plays of 40+ yards, which again, was the most in the NFL. The Eagles were dead last in the NFL in pass defense in 2013, and 31st in 2014.
Maxwell is the type of CB Seattle's "Legion of Boom" has become known for. He's big (6'1, 207), attacks in the run game, and gets physical with opposing wide receivers. The Eagles have tried (and failed) to collect those kinds of corners the last few years under Chip Kelly and Billy Davis. The Eagles released starter Cary Williams this offseason and are not expected to try to re-sign Bradley Fletcher, both of whom were offseason acquisitions in 2013.
PhillyVoice identified Maxwell as a free agency target in January, when we spoke with Seahawks writer Danny Kelly about Maxwell's game.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
