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Eagles exercise Fletcher Cox's fifth-year option

    by Zach Berman
    Published 

The Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on Fletcher Cox's contract on Monday, keeping the talented defensive lineman locked up through the 2016 season.

Cox, 24, is entering his fourth season in the NFL after the team drafted him in the first round out of Mississippi State in 2012. He made significant progress last year, developing into one of the Eagles' top defensive players. Cox finished with 70 tackles and four sacks in 2014 and earned praise from opposing players and coaches.

Cox is due to earn nearly $7,799,000 in 2016, which is the fifth-year option rate for first-round defensive ends drafted outside the top 10, according to CBS Sports. Cox can still work out an extension with the team.

The option would not affect the Eagles' ability to trade Cox if another team was interested. Cox's 2016 salary is only guaranteed in the event of injury, and there is no additional salary-cap hit if the Eagles trade or release him.