Byron Maxwell guarantees Super Bowl 50 appearance for Eagles
Byron Maxwell was one of the most sought-after defensive backs in free agency and landed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a lucrative, six-year, $63 million deal after four years with the Seattle Seahawks. Not only is Maxwell looking to provide a big boost to Philly’s secondary, he brings a track record that includes back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
Make it back-to-back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, Maxwell says.
“I’ve been there before. Knowing what it’s like if we go that far. Because we’re gonna go that far this year—meaning the playoffs and the Super Bowl,” Maxwell told Jenny Vrentas of The MMQB. “We’re gonna go that far. Hopefully that experience I already had, I can help them.”
Maxwell said his big contract and responsibility as a team’s top corner won’t change his mindset on the field.
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“When I go out there on the field, I’m not thinking about the contract, so that hasn’t really changed my mindset,” Maxwell told Vrentas. “Other people might look at me now, and I might get more attention because of the contract, but when I go on the field, nothing has changed. I still want to be the best and do my job to the top ability, just like I did when I wasn’t getting paid like this.”
The secondary has been a glaring weakness in Philadelphia during Chip Kelly’s two-year tenure. Along with Maxwell, Kelly signed Maxwell’s former Seahawks teammate Walter Thurmond to provide a boost to the defensive backfield. The Eagles also picked three defensive backs – including the versatile Eric Rowe out of Utah in the second round – in the 2015 draft.
What Maxwell’s seen in his three months in Philly – in terms of culture and on-field talent – gives him the confidence that the Eagles can return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2005.
From the MMQB:
VRENTAS: Is that similarity in the team culture a big reason why you believe the Eagles will go to the Super Bowl this year?
MAXWELL: We will, though.
VRENTAS: That sounds kind of like a guarantee.
MAXWELL: You can take that as a guarantee. That’s just me believing in my team and the product we’re going to put out there on the field. I really do believe that. I have no choice but to think that way.
The Eagles don’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to guarantees (looking at you, Vince Young), but Philly fans have to love the confidence Maxwell brings to the table.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
