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So here's something out of left field: the Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles are in trade talks for a deal that would send cornerback Byron Maxwell to Miami. This report comes from NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The #Dolphins are in talks with the #Eagles on a trade for CB Byron Maxwell, source said. It's in the works,
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016
Last year, the #Eagles gave CB Byron Maxwell a 6-year deal worth $63M. This year, they're deep in discussions to trade him to the #Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016
The Eagles, with Chip Kelly running the show, signed Maxwell to a big contract in free agency last offseason. Philadelphia desperately needed cornerback help so they overpaid for one of the top options on the market. Maxwell didn't struggle as much as his detractors might have you believe, but it's clear he isn't the top cornerback he's being paid to be. In any case, clearly this is an example of Howie Roseman aiming to clean up the "mess" Kelly created last offseason.
It remains to be seen what the Eagles could get in return for Maxwell. Maybe a day three draft pick? The 28-year-old cornerback has a $9.7 million cap figure for the 2016 season. The Eagles would create $4.8 million in dead money by trading Maxwell but they would also save $4.9 million in cap space.
With Maxwell potentially gone, the Eagles will need a new starting cornerback to replace him. Perhaps the team will try to keep Nolan Carroll, who is set to be a free agent. It's been reported both sides have mutual interest in a return. Second year cornerback Eric Rowe is also seemingly in line for a starting job moving forward. Does Maxwell being gone increase the chances of Walter Thurmond, who started at safety in 2016, staying in Philadelphia as a cornerback?
It seems like there could be enough traction for a deal to get done here. The Dolphins haven't shied away from spending big in the past; they awarded Ndamukong Suh with a hefty contract last offseason. It also doesn't hurt that Roseman and Dolphins executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum share a relationship.
Note that a trade cannot be officially executed until the new league year starts on Wednesday, March 9 at 4:00 PM ET.