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Philadelphia Eagles bring back veteran defensive lineman

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•03/19/22•

Jonathan Wagner

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Tom Pennington via Getty Images.

The Philadelphia Eagles released veteran defensive lineman Fletcher Cox on Thursday. The move came before Cox’s $18 million salary became fully guaranteed. When the Eagles released Cox, it was reported that a reunion was possible. Now, that appears to have happened.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles re-signed Cox on Saturday.

“DT Fletcher Cox officially has reached agreement with the Eagles to return to Philadelphia on a one-year deal, per source,” Schefter tweeted.

The Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers have been rumored as possible landing spots for Cox, prior to him re-joining the Eagles on Saturday.

The Eagles officially announced the news on Saturday, as well as the re-signing of running back Boston Scott.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Cox’s new one-year deal with Philadelphia is worth $14 million.

Cox has been a steady force with the Eagles

Cox first came to Philadelphia after he was drafted 12th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. He has been a key part of the Eagles defensive line ever since. In ten years in the NFL, Cox has played in 156 games. He has racked up 443 career tackles with 78 tackles for loss, 142 quarterback hits, 58 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 14 passes defended, 12 fumble recoveries, and three defensive touchdown.

Over the course of his career, Cox has made Six Pro Bowls and was a first team All-Pro in 2018. He was also a second team All-Pro in 2014, 2015, and 2017.

This past season, Cox totaled 35 tackles with seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one defensive touchdown. He was not named to the Pro Bowl, snapping a six-year streak.

This past season, Cox ranked third on the Eagles with 3.5 sacks, trailing Javon Hargrave and Josh Sweat. Philadelphia went 9-8 and finished second in the NFC East, making the playoffs as a NFL wild card team. The Eagles have three picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and now an important question has been answered as the offseason treks along.