Maxwell attended Fort Dorchester High School in North Charleston, South Carolina,[2] where he played football and ran track.

[4] Despite suffering an ACL tear and missing his entire senior season, Maxwell had many offers to places like Georgia, Maryland, Clemson, Nebraska, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.

[11][12] Throughout training camp, Maxwell competed to be a starting cornerback against Walter Thurmond, Richard Sherman, Kelly Jennings, Brandon Browner, and Kennard Cox.

[13] Head coach Pete Carroll named Maxwell the fifth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Marcus Trufant, Brandon Browner, Walter Thurmond, and Richard Sherman.

On December 24, 2011, Maxwell recorded his first career tackle on wide receiver Kyle Williams, with teammate Michael Robinson during a 33-yard kick return in the third quarter of the Seahawks' 19–17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

[16] During training camp in 2012, Maxwell competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Ron Parker, Jeremy Lane, Phillip Adams, Roy Lewis, and Coye Francies.

[17] Head coach Pete Carroll named Maxwell the fifth cornerback on the depth chart to start the season, behind Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Marcus Trufant, and Jeremy Lane.

Maxwell earned minimal playing time on six of the last seven regular season games due to injuries to Marcus Trufant and Walter Thurmond.

[22] Throughout training camp, Maxwell competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Will Blackmon, DeShawn Shead, Tharold Simon, Ron Parker, Antoine Winfield, Walter Thurmond, and Jeremy Lane.

Head coach Pete Carroll named Maxwell the third cornerback on the depth chart to start the 2013 season, behind Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner.

On December 8, 2013, Maxwell collected a season-high five solo tackles, three pass deflections, and made his first career interception during a 19–17 loss at the San Francisco 49ers.

Maxwell intercepted a pass by 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick, that was originally intended for wide receiver Michael Crabtree, and was tackled after a two-yard return in the third quarter.

[27] On January 11, 2014, Maxwell made his first postseason start and recorded five combined tackles during a 23–15 win against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round.

[29] On February 2, 2014, Maxwell started in Super Bowl XLVIII and made four solo tackles and forced a fumble in the third quarter of the Seahawks' 43–8 victory against the Denver Broncos.

[30] Maxwell was a key member of the Seahawks' "Legion of Boom" secondary during the end of the season and their playoff run to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

[31] Maxwell entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback after Brandon Browner departed for the New England Patriots during free agency.

[34][35] Maxwell was limited to 13 games and 12 starts in his first season as a designated starter and made 39 combined tackles (35 solo), 12 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

Maxwell was tasked with covering wide receiver Julio Jones in his Eagles' debut and allowed ten receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 11 targets.

[56] Maxwell surpassed Jeremy Lane on the depth chart in Week 13 and recorded seven combined tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception during a 24–10 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.