A closer look at Byron Maxwell’s 2017 and what to expect next

Many Seattle Seahawks fans have a love-hate relationship with Byron Maxwell. I, on the other hand, do not and I believe he’ll have a successful 2018 season.

Maxwell has always been taken for granted and that’s partially due to the embarrassment of riches that the Seahawks have had in the secondary for the past six years. It’s possible for any cornerback to get lost or under-appreciated when playing alongside names like Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman during his Seattle career, eventually taking over for a Pro Bowler in Brandon Browner.

I’m positive that was the number one factor in Maxwell’s departure the first time: You know kinda how the average teenager feels right after high school graduation? Maxwell wanted to make a name for himself and be the lead man. Don’t get wrong, the six-year, $63 million offer from the Philadelphia Eagles played a huge part as well.

I thought Maxwell should’ve stayed because the Seahawks were the “right fit” for him. Notice I said “right” and not the “best” fit. In a cutthroat business like the NFL, I’m all for players doing what’s “best” for them business-wise and not what’s “right” for the organizations that pay them. However, many players don’t get the opportunity to test the market, see their value, or have options to make a decision. Although Maxwell’s experiment in Philadelphia and with the Miami Dolphins didn’t quite workout the way he envisioned, at least he can say he took a chance to see what life is like and bet on himself.

And then he was asked to come back.

For the first time in years, the Seahawks’ LOB were no longer a strength or feared by opponents across the NFL landscape like they once were. Fast forward to Week 11 and sitting at 6-3, “Uncle Pete” decided to reinforce the secondary with a player who knew exactly what to expect after Sherman had torn his Achilles. Maxwell found himself thrown right into the fire, facing Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu after being unemployed for four weeks. By no means am I saying that Maxwell was the second coming of Deion Sanders, but Maxwell did his job efficiently. Here’s a few numbers to keep in mind for a different perspective before you watch my breakdown.

Maxwell played in nine games with eight starts, two being with the Dolphins and the other seven with Seattle. He finished the season ranked as the NFL’s 25th-best corner according to PFF — if you all are big on their analytics — but if you can’t tell by my wording, I’m not really a huge fan of those grades to determine if a player is a good or not. However, I do respect the time that they put into mathematics and film study.

I’m more of an “If you know, you know” type of guy to determine if a player can be a contributor or not.

The Seahawks regime were impressed enough to release Sherman, part with Jeremy Lane, and re-sign Maxwell to a one-year contract for $3 million. By staying in Seattle, Maxwell is doing what’s “best” and “right” for him at the same time. The film backs me up.

Maxwell was the teenager that graduated HS wanting to get out of his parents house sooner than needing to. Later in life as most of us find out, sometimes it’s right to come back home because your family knows you best.

Maxwell will have a great year barring any injury. You heard it here first. Enjoy the breakdown.