Fletch Retires

The “core four” is now down to the “dynamic duo”. Fletcher Cox has decided to retire from the NFL, following his long time teammate Jason Kelce.

THANK YOU, PHILLY! pic.twitter.com/vJcyeCndUE

— fletcher cox (@fcoxx_91) March 10, 2024

Cox and Kelce walked away after a disappointing end to the 2023 season. But each of them walked away while relatively healthy and playing at a high level. There is something to be said for that. We see some guys bouncing from team to team and declining. That’s not fun to watch. Any decline with Cox and Kelce was marginal.

I remember doing prospect research back in 2012. I heard about an underclassmen named Fletcher Cox who had declared for the draft. I watched some clips and didn’t see how anyone thought this guy was a first round prospect. I didn’t get it. I re-watched the clips and the second time through I did get it. Mississippi State used him creatively so you weren’t seeing a player line up in one spot and dominate. You saw Cox move around, do different things and show special ability. His potential was through the roof.

I became infatuated with Fletch. His combination of size, athleticism, effort and skill made me think he could become a dominant NFL player. The Eagles drafted him and Cox did become a special player. I don’t know if he’ll make it to the Hall of Fame, but he’s in that conversation.

https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/1766889910772830413

Such a pleasure to watch him play his entire career in Philly.

An all-time great DT. A unique blend of size and athleticism. A disruptive pass rusher. A dominant run defender. Exemplary motor.

His intense play matched Philly. Won’t be the same without him. Congrats @fcoxx_91! https://t.co/veNIAwvZiF

— Fran Duffy (@FDuffyNFL) March 10, 2024

Congrats to Fletcher Cox on an incredible career in Philly! Fun to go back and look over his report from my last year in scouting. He more than reached his sky high ceiling! pic.twitter.com/APGXpojO8B

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 10, 2024

Cox should go down as the best DT in Eagles history (aside from Derek Landri of course). Jerome Brown was great, but had his career cut short. It will be fun to see if Jalen Carter can be as good as Cox or potentially even better. Carter has that kind of potential.

It will be interesting to see what the Eagles do in terms of replacing him. Jordan Davis will be the NT. Carter will be one of the DL. Milton Williams could take the other spot. Or the Eagles could sign a free agent to replace Cox. They have the salary cap space to add someone if they want to.

Depth Chart

DL Jalen Carter ………. Moro Ojomo
NT Jordan Davis …….. Marlon Tuipulotu
DL Milton Williams

Noah Ellis could be the backup NT with Tui playing DL. I still think the Eagles need to add a talented player to the mix.

*****

Speaking of young players…

Every Nolan Smith snap in the Eagles vs Bucs playoff game pic.twitter.com/WK9nIBWagO

— Way Outside The Nest Podcast (@outsidethenest_) March 9, 2024

Nothing great, but you can see potential. Smith wasn’t used nearly enough last year so he was still raw. This will be a key offseason in his development.

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