Fletcher Cox Announces Retirement from Philadelphia Eagles

First Jason Kelce and now Fletcher Cox.

"After much reflection, I have made the decision to retire from the game of football," Cox posted on social media. "I gave everything I had to this team and to this city. I don't know what's next for me, but I do know that I'm forever grateful for my time here in Philadelphia and with the Eagles organization."

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The team's first-round pick in the 2012 draft, No. 12 overall, announced Sunday afternoon on social media that he is retiring from the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles.

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"I want to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson, Nick Sirianni, Don Smolenski, and the entire support staff for the Philadelphia Eagles," Cox stated.

Cox acknowledged the fans of Philadelphia, where he played his entire career, becoming one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL.

"To Eagles fans everywhere – there is not a fan base in all of sports that is as passionate as you," Cox said. "You are intense and demanding, but it's because of how much you care. After spending my career here, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."

During his 12-year career, he racked up 70 career sacks and 351 career solo tackles. He was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, was a three-time second-team All-Pro selection and a 2018 first-team All-Pro. He was also selected to the All-Decade Team for the 2010-2020 era.

Without Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter becomes the new face of the interior of the Eagles defensive line, along with Jordan Davis.  The duo were both first-round picks and will need to lead the line like Cox did for the past 12 seasons in Philadelphia. The team also has Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, and Moro Ojomo at the position.

I spoke to Cox at Radio Row in Las Vegas at the Super Bowl and discussed his future.

"I don't know," Cox told us when we asked if he planned on returning in 2024.

Well, now he knows.

So with Cox out, who replaces his snaps and production?  Cox was still a very productive player in 2023 making 33 tackles with five sacks.

"I still to this day don't know what went wrong (in 2023)," Cox told me at Radio Row when asked about the teams slide at the end of the season.