Eagles and DT Fletcher Cox agree to a one-year, $10 million deal

Six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $10 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

Sources said Cox turned down more lucrative offers to return to Philadelphia.

He became the third prominent member of the Eagles defense to re-sign with the team, joining cornerback James Bradbury and defensive end Brandon Graham. However, the Eagles will get a whole new look on defense in 2023 as rookies Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), TJ Edwards (Chicago Bears) and Marcus Epps (Las Vegas Raiders) all agreeing to sign elsewhere, and safety CJ Gardner Johnson. Free agent.

In addition, the Eagles plan to release five-time Pro Bowl five-time Darius Slay after an agreement could not be reached on a restructured contract, sources told Shifter earlier Wednesday.

Cox, 32, is one of the most decorated defensive players in Eagles history. His six Pro Bowl appearances are the most ever by an Eagles defensive tackle and fifth most appearances overall behind Chuck Bednarik (8), Brian Dawkins (7), Jason Peters (7) and Reggie White (7). He was also selected four times All-Pro.

He had 7 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, and 7 tackles for loss in 2022, contributing to the pass rusher that has the third-most sacks in NFL history during the regular season with 70. The season capped off with a trip to Super Bowl LVII — an appearance Cox II in the title game. He helped secure Philadelphia’s first Lombardi Trophy with a victory over the New England Patriots after the 2017 season.

A 2012 first-round draft pick by the Eagles out of Mississippi State, Cox posted 65 sacks over 11 seasons, which ranks fifth in franchise history.

He was briefly released by the last Eagles team for financial reasons before being re-signed to a one-year, $14 million deal. His best season came in 2018, when he had a career-high 10.5 sacks, 34 QB strikes and 12 tackles for loss.

ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.