Dolphins’ Adam Gase: “Nothing went wrong” with Byron Maxwell

The Miami Dolphins released veteran corner Byron Maxwell today to make room for quarterback David Fales. Head coach Adam Gase was tasked with answering questions bout the released cornerback.

Adam Gase spoke with the media this afternoon and not surprising Adam Gase was forced to address the release of their one time starting corner back Byron Maxwell. Maxwell was part of a trade in the 2016 off-season that saw Miami swap first round draft pick slots for Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso. The deal was predicated on Miami absorbing the large contract remaining on Maxwell’s previous free agent deal.

In 2016 Maxwell was benched but later regained the starting job after injuries and then finished the final 10 games of the season strong as he helped get the team to the post-season. Things didn’t work out quite the same in 2017.

Maxwell only started two games this year and was inactive for four others. He was being paid just over $8 million in guaranteed salary this season. Still the Dolphins knew they were not moving forward with Maxwell and when it came time to make room for back-up quarterback David Fales, Maxwell got the boot.

Despite rumors and early season reports from those in the local media, Adam Gase said there wasn’t really anything wrong with Maxwell. He just liked the younger guys better.

"(Given the talent level that you know CB Byron Maxwell has, is this a disappointment that you guys and him weren’t able to figure something out here to make this work?) – “I think he did a good job with … Last year, he battled and played well for us at the end of the season – the last 10 or so games that he played. We’ve just got a lot of young guys and we had to kind of make, shake room for a roster spot. We’re kind of looking right now and down the road.” Courtesy of the Miami Dolphins"

Gase has never been one to throw his players under the bus and he wasn’t about to do so this time either. It was reported a few weeks ago that Maxwell was playing more of a free-spirited style on defense rather than following the defensive scheme. While he did have an injury many believed that his stay on the inactive list was simply because he couldn’t or maybe wouldn’t get with the teams program.

"(What went wrong with CB Byron Maxwell?) – “I don’t think anything really went wrong, I just think we’ve got a lot of good players and a lot of guys that we like. It’s tough when you become a veteran player and you’re not a special teams guys. You get thrown into being inactive and you don’t get opportunities. That was just … we’ve got a lot of guys that do both.” Courtesy of the Miami Dolphins"

It is true that the Dolphins have some solid up and coming talent on their roster at the position. Miami has been impressed with rookie Cordrea Tankersley and while Xavien Howard has struggled he has a lot of upside and potential. Miami is riding their shoulders in 2017.

Behind them Bobby McCain who made the game saving interception on Sunday against the Jets and Alterraun Verner are the primary back-ups. Miami is also said to be high on prospect Torry McTyer who had a very good training camp.

Gase isn’t going to publicly say what everyone outside the team already knows. Maxwell wasn’t playing up to his potential and if there was internal issues with him playing the designed schemes then it was really only a matter of time. No one expected the Dolphins to pay his $10 million salary in 2018. Releasing him now costs the team $5.5 million and saves them $3 million in 2017 but they get the full $10 million back in 2018.