Fletcher Cox reported to the NovaCare Complex on Monday afternoon, but it doesn't seem like the Pro Bowl defensive lineman is in a rush to talk about his absence from OTAs or a potential new deal.
Cox released the following statement through the Eagles on Tuesday:
“I’m happy to be back in Philadelphia to get back to work with my teammates and coaches. I’m excited for this upcoming season and I can’t wait to get on the field for mini-camp this week, learn our new defense, and do whatever I can to help our team win. Any discussion about my absence from the offseason program or my contract will be handled privately between me, my agent and the Eagles organization.”
Cox, 25, is entering the fifth-year option year of his rookie contract. He'll be paid $7.799 million in 2016, but seems deserving of a new long-term deal. The Eagles haven't been shy about the fact that they'd like to sign their best player to a big deal, which is likely to be worth around $50-60 million in guaranteed money.
Without that new deal, Cox opted to stay away from the team during the voluntary OTAs this spring. This week's minicamp is the first mandatory period of the offseason. Had he elected to skip, the team could have fined up $76,580.
As of Monday around 1 p.m., head coach Doug Pederson had yet to speak with Cox, who arrived to the building shortly after. Pederson will speak with the media at noon on Tuesday and the locker room opens to reporters at 12:15 p.m. It's unclear if Cox will make himself available, but his statement seems to indicate he won't.
