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Report: Fletcher Cox is Expected to Retire
By Kyle Pagan
Published:
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last month that Eagles center Jason Kelce told teammates he is retiring, and I’ve talked to multiple sources who believe defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will probably retire at some point this offseason, too. Now, retirements are tricky — plans are malleable as players emerge from the haze of the season — but there’s a real possibility the Eagles will be replacing two legends at once.
This one to me is more shocking than Jason Kelce potentially retiring. I though Fletch might still have some left in the tank. Maybe one last sweetheart deal from the Birds or maybe he’d become a snow bird down in Florida with Jacksonville next season. Especially with the way Vic Fangio likes to get pressure on the QB from the defensive line I thought maybe he’d have one more serviceable year left as a backup and helping Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis as the veteran leader. But that apparently won’t be the case. The Eagles might have to replace half of their defensive line next year with Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham’s futures up in the air. Gonna need Nolan Smith, Carter, Davis, and Sweat to all step up this season. If Kelce, Graham, and Fletch all go the franchise will be replacing the three leaders in games played for the Birds. End of an era.
If Fletch retires his franchise ranks would finish like this: #5 in sacks, #3 in TFLs, #1 IN QB hits and fumbles recovered for a touchdown, and #3 in games played for the franchise. Hell of a career for the Super Bowl Champ:
Kyle writes blog posts and does Man on the Street-style videos all around Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University (a basketball school) in 2015. contact: k.pagan@sportradar.com