Eagles Trade Rumors: Fletcher Cox Won't Be Dealt Despite Interest Ahead of Deadline

The Philadelphia Eagles won't move star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Cox appeared to confirm that news on Instagram:

This came after Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported earlier Tuesday that teams had been inquiring about Cox.  

Rapoport previously noted that the Eagles have received calls but are "going to hold out for high picks" and that a trade was unlikely:

Cox has spent his entire career with the Eagles. The 30-year-old has been one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league during that time, with six Pro Bowl nods and one first-team All-Pro selection. 

Cox has not been as good in the 2021 season, with just one sack and four quarterback hits through eight games. But paired with Javon Hargrave, he still gives the Eagles one of the best interior defensive lines in the NFL.

Financial considerations—along with what the retooling Eagles would want in a deal for a player of Cox's stature—made a deal feel unlikely:

Considering the Eagles already ate $34 million in dead salary-cap space by trading Carson Wentz this offseason—albeit in a deal that might net them a 2022 first-round pick—eating more dead cap space by moving on from Cox would have been tough to justify, barring a sizable offer. 

While the Eagles are 3-5, they're only one game behind the Carolina Panthers for the final NFC wild-card berth. They hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Panthers. 

Philadelphia has a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way, with games against the Denver Broncos, New York Giants (twice), New York Jets and Washington Football team (twice). Those teams have a combined record of 10-21. 

If the Eagles can win all six of those games, tougher matchups to come against the Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys might not be must-wins for the Eagles. A 9-8 record could be enough for them to sneak into the postseason this year.