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Fletcher Cox Signs Historic Contract Extension with Philadelphia Eagles

By George Stockburger

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) reacts after a sack against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) reacts after a sack against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins won 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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After months of wondering, Philadelphia Eagles fans are jumping for joy Monday afternoon. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles and Fletcher Cox have agreed to a historic contract extension that will keep Cox in the City of Brotherly Love for another six seasons.

The deal is worth $103 million and will include $63 million in guaranteed money. That is the highest amount of guaranteed money for a non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal keeps Cox in Philadelphia through the 2022 season and his 31st birthday.

Cox held out of voluntary workouts last week, but did show up for mandatory OTAs later in the week.

The Eagles and Cox each reached out on Twitter when the deal became official.

The Eagles traded up for Cox in the 2012 draft, giving the Seattle Seahawks just a fourth and sixth round pick. The defensive tackle from Mississippi State has quickly grown into one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, something that is evident by this new contract.

Here are some of Cox’s impressive stats, courtesy of the Eagles website:

"One of the top young defenders in the NFL, Cox has increased his tackle and sack totals and has shown game-changing ability in each of the last three seasons, including a breakout year in 2015 as a fourth-year pro. Last season, Cox started all 16 games for the third straight year and earned his first career Pro Bowl berth after setting single-season career highs in total tackles (104), solo tackles (80), tackles for a loss (16.5), sacks (9.5) and forced fumbles (three). In addition to the personal marks that he set in 2015, Cox led the Eagles defense in sacks, TFLs, and QB hurries (32), while tying for the team lead in forced fumbles. His 22 career sacks are the sixth most by an interior defensive lineman in franchise history."

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The Eagles maintained their confidence in signing the Pro Bowl lineman prior to the season, noting that it would be a difficult contract to agree on.

Cox has shown versatility throughout his NFL career, playing in Jim Washburn’s “wide nine” scheme at defensive tackle, Billy Davis’s 3-4 as a defensive end hybrid, and now in Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 attacking system where he will return to his original position.

Cox has started in every game within the past three years and has played in all but one game in four seasons. Last season he put up nine sacks and has 22 in his career.

Pro Football Focus ranked Cox as the sixth best run defender last season, despite playing out of position the entire year.

The Eagles have opened their pocketbooks over the past couple of months, shelling out big contracts to homegrown talents Vinny Curry, Zach Ertz, and Lane Johnson. They also brought in Brandon Brooks and Rodney McLeod in free agency, while drafting quarterback Carson Wentz second overall to learn under Sam Bradford in the short-term future.

The Eagles will start the 2016 season at home against the Cleveland Browns under new Head Coach Doug Pederson.

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