Philadelphia Eagles: Breaking- Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell Traded

Kiko Alonso and Byron Maxwell have been traded to the Dolphins in a deal that amounts to a salary dump.

Kiko Alonso & Byron Maxwell have both been informed they are being traded to the #Dolphins, pending physicals, source said. It's happening
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2016

The undoing of the Chip Kelly era has begun in Philadelphia. Kiko Alonso was brought in during the trade of LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills while Byron Maxwell was signed as a free agent from the Seattle Seahawks. Saying these two players were underwhelming during their time with the Philadelphia Eagles is an understatement but it is disappointing to see the Eagles taking a hit on them after only one season.

With new coach Doug Pederson taking the helm for the Philadelphia Eagles, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Eagles are starting off the purge early. While they won’t get a lot back in regards of assets, this deal the salary relief will be important for a successful offseason. The Eagles will receive draft picks from the Dolphins but the complete terms have yet to be disclosed. The deal will be fully announced upon both players completing physicals.

While it is somewhat surprising that the Eagles gave up Maxwell for such a low price it shouldn’t come out of the blue. Byron Maxwell doesn’t fit the Philadelphia Eagles’ personnel so even with their lack of depth at cornerback he wouldn’t provide an above average starting option. The Philadelphia Eagles want to move more into man-to-man coverage this season and Maxwell hasn’t shown an ability to succeed in man-to-man over the past year making him expendable.

More from Section 215

Kiko Alonso is a more interesting trade since acquiring him involved shipping LeSean McCoy to the Bills. With McCoy getting in legal trouble due to a recent assault of two off-duty police officers the deal doesn’t look as bad as it did during the season. Alonso was on a team friendly deal with the Eagles of 1.1 million dollars per yer on a four-year deal but probably had to be added for the Dolphins to take most of Maxwell’s contract. This now leaves the eagles with a hole at linebacker to add to their multiple defensive holes.

What does this deal mean going forward?

The trade shows that Doug Pederson has a direction that he would like to take the Philadelphia Eagles in and targets lined up to fit their holes. With the money saved on Maxwell, the Eagles should be able to add a cornerback and a linebacker while possibly having savings to put towards an offensive lineman.

With the Eagles also having starter Nolan Carroll hitting free agency this offseason they may be less likely to let him walk (having two holes to fill at corner is much harder to fill than one).

Next: Philadelphia Eagles Re-Sign Sam Bradford: Where do they go from here?

Along with drafting a quarterback expect Eagles draft boards to fill up with linebackers that are able to step in and contribute immediately. If the Philadelphia Eagles draft a linebacker look out for them to sign a free agent to transition towards the future. One free agent who could fit the bill is inside linebacker Daryl Smith, released by the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday. Smith has spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Ravens during his 14 year NFL career. The 33-year-old Smith has added leadership qualities and an imposing presence up the middle that could be of benefit to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now that the Eagles are done locking up their own players to contract extensions this offseason is now getting underway as Doug Pederson molds his team.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles