Cornerback Byron Maxwell and the Seahawks have agreed on a one-year deal worth up to $3MM, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The signing may lessen the Seahawks’ need for cornerbacks as they head into Day 2 of the draft.
Maxwell, 30, spent the first four years of his career with the Seahawks before signing a free agent deal with the Eagles in 2015. Things didn’t pan out for him there – or with the Dolphins – but he found his way back to the Seahawks last year after Miami released him. Maxwell racked up 38 tackles, seven passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one interception in seven games for Seattle.
One of Richard Sherman‘s running mates for four seasons in Seattle, the final two of those being the Seahawks’ most successful years in franchise history, Maxwell came back to his original NFL team last season and filled in for a Sherman-less operation down the stretch. He’ll now attempt to do so again.
The Seahawks do not have a second-round pick, so bringing in a higher-ceiling corner wouldn’t be as easy in this year’s draft. Seattle has 2017 third-rounder Shaquill Griffin in line to work as a primary corner, joining former 49er Dontae Johnson. Former Patriot Justin Coleman is in the mix as well, but none have Maxwell’s experience in this system — one that’s steadily churned out corners despite the team not investing prime draft capital in the position.