Yes, there were teams interested in Fletcher Cox, and, yes, there were extensive trade talks involving the six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Why is Cox still here?
It’s simple.
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“During the whole process I was in communication with Howie (Roseman) and Nick (Sirianni) and my agent, and there were some teams interested in me, and the most important part about it was they wanted me here and I wanted to be here,” Cox said Friday.
“I’m happy to be here, and I’m looking forward to going out and playing at the Linc on Sunday. … They wanted me here, Mr. Lurie wanted me here, this organization wanted me here, I want to be here. Forever Philly and I’ve been here for 10 years and I’m happy to be here.”
Cox has been open about his displeasure with the way defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon used him the first half of the season, and Cox’s production has dropped dramatically in his 10th NFL season.
But he said the Eagles involved him in all the conversations that were going on Tuesday, and that meant a lot to him.
NFL
“Absolutely,” he said. “Can’t do nothing but respect this organization for doing that. I haven’t been anywhere else, but most places really don’t include the player into that choice making. But I think Howie and Nick did a really good job of communication with (agent) Todd (France) and me and at the end of the day I’m still an Eagle.
After averaging 45 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 14 QB hits and 8 tackles for loss his first nine seasons, Cox has 12 tackles, 1.0 sack, four QB hits and one TFL in just about half a season.
He said his relationship with Gannon is fine and said the two have come to a place where they each understand what the other is looking for.
“He understands me, I understand him, and he’s been doing a good job of everything,” Cox said. “As a player, you have to expect you’re not going to get everything you want because at the end of the day he’s the coach and he’s the defensive coordinator, so just got to work hand in hand and Jon’s been doing a good job.”
It can’t be easy hearing your name come up in trade talks when you’re one of the best defensive players in franchise history.
Cox said he learned to block out the noise by not listening to people who don’t have his best interests at heart.
“Just staying focused, you know?” he said. “Knowing that at the end of the day the guys in the locker room is the the only guys who’ve got my back. My family is the only guys who’ve got my back. My girlfriend’s the only one who’s got my back. And all the noise, you’ve just got to know who’s got your back during the whole entire process and those are the people who’ve had your back since Day 1. When times were good and when times were bad, they still got your back, no matter what’s going on.”
If the Eagles traded Cox after unloading Zach Ertz as well as backup quarterback Joe Flacco, it would have been a pretty clear sign that the Eagles had given up on this season and were building for the future without regard for trying to win games in 2021.
The Eagles are 3-5 but face a much easier schedule the second half of the season.
And now Cox will be a part of that second half.
“Not once do I think this team is rebuilding,” Cox said. “We’re just trying to figure out. That’s not my job to go on whether we’re rebuilding or not. My job is to remain professional and continue to be the pro that I am.”
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