Byron Maxwell released: Should the Chiefs be interested?
By Kody Latham
Byron Maxwell is now a free agent cornerback after being released by the Dolphins. Should the Chiefs be interested in signing him?
When Joe Haden was released earlier this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs were the first name associated with signing him. Unfortunately, Haden decided to beat up on his old team twice a year instead of coming to Kansas City. What this proves, however, is that the Chiefs feel that they need an upgrade over current starter Terrance Mitchell.
Mitchell has played about as well as you could expect from a corner that is playing opposite Marcus Peters. He still gave up 100 yards and two touchdowns in our most recent game against the Raiders. This is something that needs to be addressed, since whoever is playing opposite from Peters is going to be targeted a lot no matter what.
Enter Byron Maxwell as the latest candidate, a corner who was released by the Miami Dolphins this morning and the Chiefs should be all over it. Maxwell had an excellent season in Miami last year posting 53 tackles, 15 passes defended, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles, and was also given an 84.7 grade by Pro Football Focus last season. This season, however, he seemed to fall out of favor for ignoring what plays the coaches were calling and was understandably benched after the second game.
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
The Dolphins third-round rookie Cordrea Tankersley has taken over since then and has played well which probably made Maxwell expendable. The last time Maxwell even saw the field this year was Week 3, and he has not played since.
The best part about Maxwell being released is that if the Chiefs had tried to trade for him, they would have had to inherit his $8.5 million cap hit. Now they can go and get him for a much more reasonable price which will more than likely turn out to be a prove it deal. While it is worrying that he was apparently freelancing this year in Miami, this coaching staff should do an excellent job of being able to get him to buy into what they are saying.
The Chiefs currently have the 28th ranked pass defense so they should be trying to do everything they can to improve it. Hopefully, Brett Veach is on the phone already with Maxwell’s agent trying to get a deal done because we all know right now we could use all the help we can get.