The Philadelphia Eagles are currently looking to shop Byron Maxwell as 2016 NFL free agency begins. Maxwell's contract is way too large for the Eagles to continue to pay. Trading him should free up some cap space and could potentially land them a late round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Maxwell will cost the Eagles $9.7 million in 2016, $11.2 million in 2017, and over $10 million per season for the three years following.
Maxwell was a sixth round pick in 2011, drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. He did not record an interception during his first two seasons with the Seahawks, however he recorded four in 2013 and two in the two seasons following. In 2015 Maxwell started in 14 games for the Eagles, during that time he recorded 64 combined tackles, 10 pass defenses, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.
Maxwell has not been anything more than an average cornerback on his best day, which is why it was so surprising to see the Eagles offer him the kind of money they did. The Eagles are only now paying for his massive $63-million contract that has hindered them in free agency.
Trading Maxwell would benefit the Eagles more than the Dolphins at this point. Miami could potentially be looking for a replacement for Brent Grimes, considering he could be released. Grimes is 32 years old and has been the best cornerback the Dolphins have had in quite a while. He is set to make $9.5 million in 2016 and could become a cap casualty.
The Dolphins have around $21 million in cap space so releasing Grimes and getting depth, along with some additional cap room, could be worth it for a team that is trying to find a way to compete. Realistically, they were going to have to cut Brent Grimes or Cameron Wake, so it is telling that they chose the cheaper of the two options.
Wake has been the face of this defense for years now, so it makes sense that he would retire with the Dolphins. He may be 34, but he is playing a position where he can still be effective this late in his career. This trade would be a step in the right direction for both teams as they try to remedy their cap situations.
