Philadelphia Eagles: 2021 will define Fletcher Cox’s longterm status

Once viewed as an untouchable figure at the NovaCare Complex, it hasn’t taken long for some unwanted attention to pivot towards Fletcher Cox this offseason. Following the departures of both Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson, Cox is the next biggest name on the Philadelphia Eagles roster, and it appears some “internal concerns” have begun to brew in regards to his long-term future in south Philly.

According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (subscription required), the Eagles and Cox have found themselves in a bit of a crucial point when it comes to the pair’s relationship. The previous coaching regime that so regularly fawned over Cox is now no longer in the building, and his current contract is now the biggest on the team (following the departure of Wentz).

While Cox has still managed to be a productive defensive tackle over the past few seasons (6.5 sacks in 2020), McLane’s article details a quiet sentiment that’s being held around the Eagles organization in regards to Cox’s overall work ethic – or lack thereof.

Aaron Donald – the LA Rams superstar DT – seemingly never stops improving, whereas Cox has hit a bit of a wall since his standout 2018 season. 2019 was a year bogged down with injury and inconsistency (3.5 sacks), and 2020 wasn’t much better despite the increase in sack numbers. Cox finished 2020 with just nine TFLs, the lowest he’s recorded in that department since 2014.

Cox is on the hook for $23.9 million this season and $23.8 the following. Obviously the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t looking to trade him anytime soon due to his current $22+ million dead cap number, but a decision will likely have to be made on his future sometime next offseason.

Cox’s dead cap number drops down to $13.1 million in 2022, and he’s set to be a free agent in 2023.

Howie Roseman does however have “dummy years” implanted into Cox’s contract for 2023 and 2024, lowering his immediate cap hit but stretching out the money over a longer period of time. A salary cap tactic that Roseman frequently leans on, the Eagles will be forced to eat $6.5 million of dead cap in 2023 and $1.4 in 2024 – despite Cox not being under contract for those years.

2021 will define Fletcher Cox’s longterm status with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Based on McLane’s report, and the impending rebuild that the Philadelphia Eagles are set to undertake, it does feel like 2021 is going to be a crucial year for Cox and his continued presence in Philadelphia. If he continues to show signs of regression and an overall lack of effort (McLane’s report did cite Cox taking too many plays off), I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest to see the front office entertain trade offers for their star DT next offseason. Roseman showed zero restraint when he sent Wentz packing earlier this spring, and the Eagles do have another highly paid DT already on the roster in Javon Hargrave.

If Cox shows up looking more like his 2017/2018 self this season, then a potential extension could be in the works, a way to further spread out his money as the team continues to include him in their longterm plans.

It’s really one way or the other. The initial Hargrave move signaled that the Eagles could be looking in a different direction when it comes to their DT room, and they drafted Milton Williams in the third round. Obviously neither player is even close to as good as Cox, but they’re alternative options nevertheless.

Cox also has a say in the matter. If he’d rather push for another Super Bowl ring, he’d likely have to get off the Eagles and join a team better suited to win in the near future. Whichever direction things end up going, 2021 has the makings of quite the crucial year for Cox and his Philadelphia Eagles legacy.