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Six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will return to the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $10 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
Cox turned down more lucrative offers to return to Philadelphia, the sources said.
He becomes the third prominent member of the Eagles’ defense to re-sign with the team, joining cornerback James Bradberry and defensive end Brandon Graham. Still, the Eagles will have a whole new take on defense in 2023, as starters Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), TJ Edwards (Chicago Bears) and Marcus Epps (Las Vegas Raiders) have agreed to sign elsewhere, and safety CJ Gardner- Johnson is a free agent.
In addition, the Eagles plan to release five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay after failing to agree on a restructured contract, sources told Schefter 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 overall behind only Chuck Bednarik (8), Brian Dawkins (7), Jason Peters (7) and Reggie White (7). He has also been named an All-Pro four times.
He had 7 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 7 tackles for loss in 2022, contributing to a pass rush that produced the third most sacks in NFL history during the regular season with 70. The season culminated in a trip to Super Bowl LVII – – Cox’s second title game appearance. He helped secure Philadelphia’s first-ever Lombardi Trophy with a win over the New England Patriots after the 2017 season.
A first-round selection by the Eagles in 2012 from Mississippi State, Cox has posted 65 sacks in 11 seasons, ranking fifth in franchise history.
He was briefly released by the Eagles for financial reasons last season 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 hits, and 12 tackles for loss.
ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.