Fletcher Cox will be an Eagle for at least one more year, after signing a $14 million deal back in March to return for an 11th season in Philadelphia.
But that knowledge came after the most stressful 48 hours of Cox’s career: his first-ever foray into free agency, coming on St. Patrick’s Day after the Eagles cut the 31-year-old before an $18 million roster guarantee kicked in.
“It’s just one of them things where you try to get things worked out,” Cox said during Eagles OTAs this week. “I knew the team wanted me here, just there was a deadline before we could get things done. With time, it’s always ticking, you only have a certain amount of time to do and get certain things done. I knew they wanted me here, but it was just a part of the process.”
Cox’s agent, Todd France, was working with the Birds to restructure his contract, but when they couldn’t reach agreement, the Eagles chose to cut Cox with a post-June 1 designation, which spread out his dead cap hit – and, officially, made Cox a free agent for the first time in his NFL career.
Plenty of revered and successful Eagles – and players around the NFL – have seen the day come where the only team they’ve ever known has to move on, and Cox knew eventually, his time might come.
“I knew at some point…everybody has that day, right, where they get released by the team they’ve been with for a long time?” Cox said.
“Obviously, at some point that day has to come. But I’m glad we were able to get things worked out and I’m here now.”
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But while he had 31 other teams that could’ve taken a chance, Cox wanted to be in Philly, and it didn’t take long to get the new deal done – one that is mostly signing bonus, and keeps the Birds’ cap in check.
“Obviously when you’re a free agent, teams do reach out, and it’s part of the process. I get it,” Cox said. “But the Eagles wanted me here and I’m back now and getting ready now to go into training camp. I’m excited about that.”
That said, it’s known the Eagles tried to deal Cox last season – and he had been vocal about his role before and after – and again this offseason before cutting him, and he’s coming off a season where he had just 3.5 sacks and 35 tackles (seven for loss).
At 31, the stalwart may be slowing down a bit, and the Birds did draft a potential replacement the first round in Georgia run-stuffer Jordan Davis. It could be seen as a make-or-break year for Cox, but honestly, he’s felt his first 10 seasons all were, too.
“I view it as I’ve been viewing it every year, honestly,” Cox said. “I go in and take it one year at a time. There’s no extra pressure on me.”
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN