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Analysis: Byron Maxwell will ease transition in Seattle secondary

When Richard Sherman went down with a torn Achilles tendon in Week 10, the Seattle Seahawks secondary entered uncharted territory.
Credit: Joe Nicholson
Jun 12, 2018; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll (right) talks with defensive back Byron Maxwell (41) during minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

When Richard Sherman went down with a torn Achilles tendon in Week 10, the Seattle Seahawks secondary entered uncharted territory.

After all, Sherman suited up at cornerback for 96 consecutive regular season games prior to the injury, proving to be exceptionally durable for the Seahawks. The team wasn’t accustomed to playing without him, and to make matters worse, DeShawn Shead was still working back from a torn ACL and Jeremy Lane had been M.I.A. most of the season.

When injuries such as the one Sherman suffered happen during the middle of the season, finding an adequate replacement can be a challenging, if not impossible task.

Luckily for the Seahawks, veteran Byron Maxwell remained available on the free agent scrap heap, looking for one last chance to prove he could still play at a high level.

Maxwell, who previously started for the Seahawks during the team’s historic back-to-back Super Bowl runs in 2013 and 2014, originally left Seattle as a coveted free agent in 2015. He signed a six-year, $63 million deal with the Eagles, hoping to escape Sherman’s shadow and become an elite cornerback in his own right.

His departure to the “City of Brotherly Love” didn’t pan out as intended, however, as he lasted only one season in Philadelphia before being jettisoned to Miami along with linebacker Kiko Alonso and a first-round pick. He responded with a strong 2016 campaign for the Dolphins, finishing with 53 tackles, two interceptions, and a career-best 15 passes defensed.

Despite the successful season, Maxwell’s tenure in Miami once again proved to be a short one, as he started two games last season before being demoted and eventually being waived in late October. Only a few seasons removed from being one of the NFL’s most sought-after free agents, the 29-year old defender appeared to be on the fast track towards being washed out of the league completely.

Then, Sherman went down, presenting the perfect opportunity for Maxwell to revitalize his career in a system best-suited for his strengths.

The long sleeved, football punching crusader returned to Seattle’s lineup as if he never had left, joining Shaquill Griffin and slot specialist Justin Coleman in the starting lineup for the final six games. Though he was far from perfect and surrendered a few explosive pass plays, “Maxie” provided an invaluable veteran presence for the Seahawks, recording 38 combined tackles, seven passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble in seven games.

Partially as a reflection of the team’s confidence in Griffin moving forward, Seattle made the unpopular decision to release Sherman, who promptly signed with the 49ers. The ex-UCF star improved throughout the season as he gained experience and appears to be rapidly ascending towards stardom.

But Maxwell’s reawakening as a competent press coverage cornerback also likely played a role in the Seahawks decision to cut ties with one of the franchise’s most iconic players. He understands all of the nuances of Seattle’s defensive scheme and as shown last season, he can still make an impact on the field while aiding the development of Griffin, rookie Tre Flowers, and other young defensive backs on the roster.

With Sherman in San Francisco, Kam Chancellor stepping away from the game, and the future of Earl Thomas up in the air, Maxwell could unexpectedly be the last man standing from the original “Legion of Boom.”

Now the savvy, steady doyen of the Seahawks secondary, Maxwell will serve as a present-day reminder for this prior era of defensive dominance while also passing the torch and leaving an essential imprint on the next one.

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