The Philadelphia Eagles and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox officially parted ways when the team released the 31-year-old on Thursday afternoon.
The two parties could already be on track for a reunion.
Per Dave Spadaro of the club's website, the Eagles are reportedly working on potentially re-signing Cox on a cheaper deal. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport (h/t Nick Shook) reported the six-time Pro Bowl selection would have had $18 million in salary become guaranteed at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, which is why Philadelphia made the transaction.
ESPN's Tim McManus adds the Eagles wanted a Day 2 draft pick in any trade for Cox's services and also that the team saves $16 million by designating him a post-June 1 cut.
Cox earned Pro Bowl nods each season from 2015 through 2020 but struggled this past campaign under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, to the point that the 2012 first-round draft selection of the Eagles was in trade rumors up until the November deadline. He later suggested he could remain with the team beyond next season:
Eagles DT Fletcher Cox on being involved in trade discussions earlier this week
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) November 5, 2021
“They wanted me here, I wanted to be here… forever Philly” pic.twitter.com/0npr5UdjE7
If Cox, who earned a Super Bowl ring during his Philadelphia tenure, wants at least one more big payday, his future will likely involve moving on from the City of Brotherly Love this spring.
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