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Chip lands big fish: Maxwell to the Eagles

    by Jeff McLane
    Published 

Chip Kelly is diving head first into free agency.

If reports are correct and Byron Maxwell doesn't change his mind after another team swoops in -- "I'm going to Philly," he told ESPN. -- the Eagles coach has landed one of the biggest fishes on the free agent market.

The Eagles and Maxwell have agreed upon a six-year contract, according to an NFL source. The cornerback's deal is worth $63 million total with $25 million guaranteed, per reports. Maxwell will get $13.5 million in the first year, $22 million through two years, $32 million through three, $42 million through four and $52 million through five.

Jayson Braddock of SportsTalk 790 in Houston was first with the report, although multiple outlets have since confirmed the deal. Maxwell's agent Alvin Keels, however, said on Twitter that a deal wasn't finalized.

"A lot of chatter about Byron Maxwell to Philly," Keels said. "Is Philly interested? Yes. Is Byron Maxwell interested in Philly? Yes. Is it official? No."

The news of Maxwell's signing comes as the Eagles have another deal in place that would send free agent running back Frank Gore to Philadelphia. Kelly is expected to be involved in many other bids for free agents. The Eagles will have close to $50 million in salary cap space once the LeSean McCoy trade to the Bills goes through on Tuesday.

The new league year opens on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and that's when the Maxwell and Gore acquisitions, baring an unforeseen event, will be announced by the Eagles.

Maxwell was high atop of the Eagles' free agency list. Sources told The Inquirer on Saturday that the Eagles were serious players for the 27-year-old cornerback. They have two starting holes to fill at cornerback with Cary Williams released last week and Bradley Fletcher unlikely to be re-signed.

Maxwell seemingly fits what the Eagles are looking for at the position. He's a man-press corner, long and rangy (6-foot, 207 pounds with 33-1/2-inch arms) and played in one of the best defenses in Seattle. He has only 17 career starts, however, and could have benefited in playing alongside three all pros in the Seahawks secondary -- cornerback Richard Sherman and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.