Eagles receiver Jordan Matthews struggles against cornerback Byron Maxwell. But now Matthews is enjoying it.

Matthews said that when the Eagles played the Seahawks last year, Matthews considered Maxwell by far the best cornerback he played against. This year Maxwell has signed with the Eagles, and Matthews says that Maxwell remains the best cornerback he faces, only now it’s in practice and it’s making Matthews better.

“I know, for me, he’s been kicking my butt out here, it’s great to be able to compete against him,” Matthews told CSNPhilly.com. “Last year, if anybody asked me who was the hardest corner I went against, easily, easily 41 from the Seahawks. And then I turn on my TV and he’s on my team. It doesn’t get much better than that when it comes to competition.”

If Matthews is right, the move of Maxwell from Seattle to Philadelphia represents a major shift from the best team in the NFC to one of the teams that expects to be an NFC contender this year.