Philadelphia Eagles and DT Fletcher Cox agree to terms on 6-year contract extension

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension with DT Fletcher Cox that will keep the Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Philly through 2022, according to the Eagles.

Cox, who was originally selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft (12th overall), has appeared in 64 games (58 starts) and has compiled 308 tackles (232 solo), 31.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks in his four-year career.

Since becoming a full-time starter in Week 8 of his rookie campaign, Cox has played and started all but one game for the Birds and has strung together 49 consecutive starts (including postseason) over the last three seasons.

One of the top young defenders in the NFL, Cox has increased his tackle and sack totals and has shown game-changing ability in each of the last three seasons, including a breakout year in 2015 as a fourth-year pro. Last season, Cox started all 16 games for the third straight year and earned his first career Pro Bowl berth after setting single-season career highs in total tackles (104), solo tackles (80), tackles for a loss (16.5), sacks (9.5) and forced fumbles (three). In addition to the personal marks that he set in 2015, Cox led the Eagles defense in sacks, TFLs, and QB hurries (32), while tying for the team lead in forced fumbles. A disruptive pass rusher, Cox's 22 career sacks are already the sixth-most by an interior defensive lineman in franchise history.

Last year, in a Week 5 win vs. New Orleans, Cox notched single-game career highs with three sacks and two forced fumbles of Saints QB Drew Brees, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.

In addition to his on-field accolades, Cox was voted by his teammates as the team's 2015 Ed Block Courage Award winner.