Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference at the NFL team's facility, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. The Colts will play the Houston Texans in an NFL wildcard playoff game on Saturday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The future of Jason Kelce with the Philadelphia Eagles is uncertain as retirement talks loom over him. However, recent reports suggest that he may not be the only Eagles player considering retirement, potentially leaving the franchise to grapple with the loss of two legends in one offseason.
While there is still a possibility for Kelce to return for another season with the Eagles, nothing is certain at the moment as the veteran center weighs his options. Additionally, the Eagles may also need to address the retirement considerations of defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported that Kelce informed teammates of his retirement plans, while sources suggest that Cox may also be contemplating retirement during this offseason. Although retirements in professional sports can be fluid, there is a real possibility that the Eagles could be facing the departure of two iconic players simultaneously.
Losing Cox would be a significant blow to the Eagles, considering his contributions since joining the team in 2012. As an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Cox’s potential retirement is not out of the realm of possibility, given his one-year deal last offseason.
The decisions of Kelce and Cox regarding their respective careers will undoubtedly have implications for the Eagles. If both players opt for retirement, the team will face the challenge of finding suitable replacements to fill their roles on the field.
Reflecting on Cox’s career with the Eagles, he was drafted by the team in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Cox played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory in the 2017 season and has been a six-time Pro Bowler, earning recognition as a First Team All-Pro and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
If Cox decides to retire this offseason, he will conclude his career with impressive statistics, including 121 games played, 70.0 sacks, 351 solo tackles, 16 forced fumbles, 88 tackles for loss, and 173 QB hits.
As the Eagles await decisions from Kelce and Cox, the franchise finds itself at a critical juncture, facing the potential departure of two key players. Their retirements would mark the end of an era for the Eagles, prompting the team to navigate a period of transition and make adjustments to maintain competitiveness in the league.
