Fletcher Cox was an absolute beast in 2014 and the league took notice. He is considered one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL and with the added talent to the second and third tiers of the Eagles defense; Cox will have every opportunity to be even better in 2015.
Set to earn $3,258,563 this year and $7,799,000 next season, Cox is going to command a sizeable contact after the 2016 season. He plays the defensive end position in a 3-4 scheme, which is not a glorious position. He is often facing double teams, clogging up running holes and disrupting passing lanes that lead to players around him collecting the statistics that typically gets players paid.
He registered only four sacks and a forced fumble if you judging based purely on stats, but anyone who knows football and watched his efforts on a weekly basis knows the disruptive force he brings to opposing offenses.
Cox was not drafted by Chip Kelly, and Chip is an offensive guy. Chip is a smart football coach, but is he a smart general manager as well? He knows the impact that Cox has on this team. Cox provides versatility; he can play the outside technique as an end but also rotate to the tackle position when needed. There aren’t any questionable personality traits or signs of a poor work ethic; this guy fits the Chip Kelly mold.
Cox is a guy you build your defense around and don’t try to find the next guy in line at a cheaper price tag and hope that it works. You make Cox a cornerstone of your franchise for years to come, and reward the guy with multi-year contract extension.
So how much is Cox going to cost a season? Two defensive ends just cashed in recently with Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburg Steelers receiving a new six year extension at almost ten million a season, while Corey Liuget of the San Diego Chargers signed a five year, $51.25 million contract extension.
I could see the Eagles signing Cox to a similar deal at six year 63 million contract, which is a nice chunk of change to pay to a defensive lineman, especially one that was rumored to be on the trading block on draft day to bring Mariota to Philadelphia.
Since the Eagles exercised the 5th Year Option for Fletcher Cox at $7.8 Million for 2016, they don’t have to worry about his status for another season..
First the Eagles have to decide if M Kendrick’s, B Boykin fit their Future Plans for beyond the 2015 Season and they also should jump on discussions about long term Deals with Z Ertz, Lane Johnson & B Logan
I don’t envision boykin and kendricks in philly beyond this season. I’m not sold both are on this team when season begins, although I feel it would be a mistake to trade either for depth purposes. Logan is a guy I could see leaving when the time comes up, lane is going to get paid. Ertz at this point is still a rotational player, but using a high second rd pk on him when we had celek, just signed casey, I feel it must be this year ertz gets the snaps, I get celek can block, but i want ertz to have the opportunity to showcase his hard work this offseason to improve his technique.
I don’t think Kendrick’s/Boykins are going anywhere before this Season..
But I don’t see them remaining in Philly long Term of after the 2015 Season
The Health of both DeMeco Ryan’s & Kiko Alonso in 2015 probably determines on whether the Eagles pursue Kendrick’s to remain.. Boykin is a goner unless he has a big time Season like he did in 2013, but he does not fit the profile of what Kelly wants in his DB’s and both Kendrick’s/Boykins were AR & Roseman Picks..