“April 26, 2012 was a special day that changed my life forever when Andy Reid called me to say I would be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. I fulfilled a lifelong dream by making it to the NFL. But what I didn’t know at the time was how much of an honor and privilege it would be to represent the city of Philadelphia and the Eagles organization for the next 12 seasons,” Cox said in a statement addressed to Eagles fans on Instagram.
The Eagles selected Cox with the No. 12 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He went on to have a storied career for the franchise, making six Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams. Cox was one of four DTs named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.
The stalwart defender, listed at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, is known for his strength, high football IQ and durability, having played 188 games in 12 years, missing just six games due to injury. He recorded 70 sacks (with a high of 10.5 in 2018), 88 tackles for loss and 16 forced fumbles, scoring three defensive touchdowns. He had 5.0 sacks in 2023.
Cox is tied for third with former kicker David Akers in games played for Philadelphia, behind Brandon Graham and Kelce. He’s fifth on the franchise’s all-time sack list behind Reggie White, Trent Cole, Clyde Simmons and Graham.
Without Cox and Kelce, the only players remaining from Philadelphia’s 2017 Super Bowl champion season are tackle Lane Johnson and defensive end Brandon Graham.
Cox, born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, attended Mississippi State, where he was a three-year starter and also competed in track and field.
The Eagles still have plenty of talent at defensive tackle, with young Georgia Bulldogs Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, both former first-rounders, manning the line. Former third-rounder Milton Williams is also a solid player. The Eagles love to rotate their linemen, but Cox had the most snaps of the team’s defensive tackles, and his contributions and leadership will certainly be missed in Philadelphia.