Fletcher Cox isn’t sure if he’ll receive some sort of tangible award for being named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.
And he doesn’t really care.
Through three games, Cox has been more disruptive and, yes, humble than ever.
“Aw man, just living in the moment,” Cox said when asked about winning Defensive Player of the Month. “That’s how I approach everything. Just live in the moment and just get ready for next month.”
Cox, who was the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2012 has played well during his five years in the league, but the recognition didn’t quite follow.
He finally made his first Pro Bowl in 2015 after a 9½-sack year and this offseason signed a six-year contract that included $63 million guaranteed.
With this latest award, the recognition keeps coming.
NFL
“I never said I was disrespected, but sometimes some people don’t get the recognition they deserve,” the soft-spoken Cox said. “Obviously, I think Brandon (Graham) has been playing really, really good. Nobody’s really talking about him. I think everybody is playing on a really elite level.”
While the Eagles were on their bye week, Cox enjoyed himself and got away from football. He found out he won the NFC Defensive Player of the Month – the first for an Eagle since Connor Barwin in 2014 – on his way to a friend’s deer camp to plant food plots.
He got back to Philly on Saturday and practiced Monday as the Eagles begin preparations for next Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions, the first of their final 13 games of the season.
Under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s aggressive 4-3 defense, Cox has shined in the first three games. While Carson Wentz has stolen the headlines with the team starting 3-0, the Eagles’ defense has been even better than advertised. And it starts with their best player.
Through three games, Cox already has three sacks and six quarterback hurries in a scheme that really seems to fit his strengths.
“Just take it day by day, man. I’m not a big selfish person,” Cox said. “I’m not selfish at all. I like to give praise to the guys in this locker room, that’s my teammates. Without them, I don’t think any of the success would be happening with me or just anybody on this team.”