News
3/15/23
2 min read
Eagles Bring Back Fletcher Cox on One-Year Deal
The Philadelphia Eagles have retained one of the key members of their defense, bringing back star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox on a one-year deal Wednesday evening.
The deal, reported by ESPN, will keep Cox with the team that drafted him for a 12th season, and returns a key member of the team's defense while others sign elsewhere as free agents. Cox also received interest from the New York Jets.
Cox will make $10 million in 2023, providing a hometown discount to the defending NFC champions ahead of his 12th season with the franchise. One of the top free agents available at his position this offseason, Cox's salary comes in lower than that received by many free agents who signed so far this week, including former Eagles teammate Javon Hargrave ($21 million), Daron Payne ($22.5 million), and David Onyemata ($11.6 million).
In his 11 seasons with the franchise, Cox has been a four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, playing in 184 games and producing 67 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, and 13 fumble recoveries. He was a leader on the team that won Super Bowl LII in 2018 and lost Super Bowl LVII last month.
His presence and leadership will be of particular value to the Eagles given the losses the team's Super Bowl defense has incurred since the free agent market opened. Hargrave is now with the San Francisco 49ers after a career year in Philadelphia last season, starting linebacker T.J. Edwards was one of two big signings at the position by the Chicago Bears, and both Marcus Epps and Kyzir White parlayed last season's success into bigger deals out west, Epps with the Las Vegas Raiders and White with the Arizona Cardinals.
One loss that might have a bigger impact than all of those, however, is cornerback Darius Slay. Coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2022, the Eagles plan to release Slay after the two sides couldn't agree to a restructured contract. They permitted the five-time Pro Bowler to seek a trade, but one could not be found.
Cox is the second major re-signing the Eagles have made. On Tuesday, the team brought back cornerback James Bradberry on a three-year deal.
