Dolphins in talks to acquire Byron Maxwell from Eagles
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The NFL Editor
Published: March 7, 2016 at 12:20 p.m.
Updated: March 7, 2016 at 12:28 p.m.
The new Eagles personnel boss is the same as the old boss. And executive vice president Howie Roseman is already starting to move on from some of former coach Chip Kelly's personnel decisions.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Eagles and Dolphins are "deep in talks" about a trade for cornerback Byron Maxwell, according to two sources informed of the proceedings. Rapoport said the deal could go down "soon."
Maxwell was not an outright disaster in Philadelphia, but he gave up too many plays for someone getting paid as a top-shelf cornerback. He essentially played like a league average starter while getting more than $13 million in 2015 pay. The Dolphins would get him at a more reasonable rate, avoiding the big signing and roster bonuses that the Eagles swallowed last year. Maxwell is due $8.5 million this season and $10.5 million in 2017, including $3 million guaranteed. So the Dolphins would still be taking on a considerable risk and could count on him to rebound in new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph's unit.
For the Eagles, they would essentially be dumping Maxwell's contract despite being thin at cornerback. Nolan Carroll, a starter from last year, is also slated to be a free agent. It would be a big surprise if the Dolphins had to give up anything more than a late-round draft pick in order to grab Maxwell.
The Dolphins should be front and center this week with free agency set to kick off. A potential move to bring in Maxwell raises questions about cornerback Brent Grimes' future with the team. Tight end Jordan Cameron could wind up taking a pay cut to stay in Miami, sources told NFL Media's Rand Getlin on Sunday. Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who received the transition tag, also face uncertain futures.
