The Philadelphia Eagles and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal, a league source confirmed to The Athletic. Here’s what you need to know:
- Cox is returning to the Eagles for his 12th season with the team.
- Cox played 17 games in 2022, recording 23 solo tackles and seven sacks.
- The 32-year-old is a six-time Pro Bowler and helped Philadelphia win Super Bowl LII.
DT Fletcher Cox and the Eagles have agreed to a one-year, $10M deal, per source. @TheAthletic
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 15, 2023
Backstory
Cox went No. 12 in the 2012 NFL Draft. Through 173 career games played with the Eagles, Cox has 336 solo tackles and 65 sacks.
Cox was not the dominant force he once was, but he still played a key role in the defense during the 2022 season, posting seven sacks while helping to spring the guys around him. — Wulf
Advertisement
Why the re-signing makes sense
The Eagles need a pass-rushing presence on the interior, and the market had thinned this week. Cox will be part of a top three that includes Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. Although Cox is not the same player he was five years ago, he rebounded with seven sacks and 16 quarterback hits — both higher marks than in recent seasons. But the Eagles lost significant production when Javon Hargrave left, and Cox must play a critical role in the defense. Neither Davis nor Williams are proven pass rushers. If Cox doesn’t provide pressure and the Eagles are lacking in that area, the defense won’t be as effective as last season. — Berman
What were the alternatives?
Hard to say from the outside, but Cox’s reported $10 million guarantee falls in line with the defensive tackle market. Seven other players at the position have signed deals with higher average annual values so far. The Eagles could have made a bigger splash for someone like Zach Allen, who reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal for around $15 million per year, or they could have pivoted to a dice-roll on, say, Arden Key, who reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $21 million.
They could have also chosen to do something like what the Saints did in signing two lower-level defensive tackles (Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd) for the combined cost of Cox. It’s fair to surmise sentimentality was at play here, as Cox now joins Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce for another season. If all three players are able to play a full year, they will rank 1-2-3 in games played in franchise history. — Wulf
Required reading
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)