Eagles Holding Door Open for Return of Kelce, Cox

The ball is in the court of Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. They should find the door open if they want to return to the only team they’ve played for in their decade-plus time in the league.

“I think the important thing from our perspective is you never want to see them wearing different colors,” said Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during his session with reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.

“I think for us, no matter when that is, if they want the opportunity to come back, we’d want to have the opportunity to bring them back.”

That could be a big “if” for Fletcher Cox returning.

Drafted in the first round back in 2012, the defensive tackle did a thorough job in cleaning out his locker inside the team’s training facility at the end of the season and could be intent on finding a two-year contract elsewhere, or at least a one-year deal that will pay him, at minimum, the $10 million he made last year with Philly.

Howie Roseman with Fletcher Cox (91), Jason Kelce (62), and Lane Johnson following a walkthrough practice on Oct. 26, 2022 John McMullen/SI Fan Nation Eagles Today

Last year, Cox turned down a contract worth more from the New York Jets to return to the Eagles and play alongside his longtime teammate and locker neighbor, Brandon Graham, once again.

This year, Cox sees the handwriting on the wall after the Eagles spent first-round picks on defensive tackles in back-to-back years on Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. They added Moro Ojomo in the seventh round last year and took Milton Williams in the third round of 2021.

Clearly, Philly has been preparing for Cox’s departure.

As for Kelce, he seems to be vacillating back and forth between retiring or returning.

During an interview with Dana Carvey and David Spade on their ‘Superfly’ podcast, Kelce was asked about his decision.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m trying to figure it out right now. Right now, exploring different opportunities if I end up retiring. “Still working out and staying in shape if I end up playing again.”

Kelce admitted to having conversations with several TV networks and streaming services about joining them to be an analyst during NFL games.

“All these guys, when they get done it’s like you’re just kinda here man,” he said on the Superfly pod, holding up his arm in the middle of the camera. “You very rarely get these peaks. And you gotta find a way to kinda get that.”

After the Kansas City Chiefs and his tight end brother, Travis Kelce, beat the Baltimore Ravens to make a second straight Super Bowl – and eventually win it – Kelce told the DailyMail.com that, “Whenever you’re around this atmosphere, man, it’s really hard to not want to continue doing this.

“The game continues to be difficult to play – selfishly, physically. It’s a grueling sport and it has its problems with trying to play it the older you get… [but] it’s hard. It’s really hard. I’ll be honest with you.”

So, stay tuned, decisions will be made soon enough as the league year begins on March 13.

“Obviously, those guys are unbelievable players, unbelievable people, and they deserve the right to decide what’s best for them,” said Roseman. “We’ll wait and give them whatever time and space they need to make the right decisions.”