Fletcher Cox is entering a huge phase in his NFL career and as the Eagles enter their own new journey under Nick Sirianni, the dominating defensive tackle could be playing this season to keep his place in the hierarchy here in Philadelphia.
Jeff McLane of The Inquirer just detailed Cox’s influence with the organization and as the defensive tackle enters a pivotal year in his career, Eagles brass are more concerned about him losing a step because he won’t take the Aaron Donald approach to physical fitness.
But Cox hasn’t been as consistent as the Rams defensive tackle, particularly the last two years. Injuries haven’t helped. Offseason foot surgery slowed him at the start of the 2019 season. A neck injury pestered him during the second half of 2020. To his credit, he missed only one game over that span.
There was a feeling among some coaches, however, that Cox wasn’t maximizing his ability over that span, or taking the necessary preventative steps in terms of his health, team sources said. And there is an internal concern that he won’t take the extra steps as he enters his 30s to retire in Philadelphia.
Cox told the media that he’s looking forward to the next phase of his career.
“I’m always looking forward to competing any time I’m on the field in practice, individually, just doing anything,” Cox said last week when asked how he would approach what could be viewed as the next phase of his career. “Making sure that my body is ready and to gear up for the next season.”
Only Aaron Donald has played better over the past five years at the position, but Cox has a huge 2022 cap hit and the Eagles will be forced to either extend the future Hall of Famer or move on and hit the reset button.
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