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The Difference Between Fletcher Cox And A Franchise Quarterback

By Matt Giraldi

Sep 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) returns a fumble 17-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars, 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) returns a fumble 17-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars, 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

This is not an indictment against Fletcher Cox. I love his tenacity and ability in both stopping the pass and the run. He is a difference-maker in every definition of the word. Unfortunately the difference between great and good defensive linemen is narrower than the differences between a franchise quarterback and the current quagmire at quarterback in Philadelphia. That doesn’t mean Cox isn’t worthy of all the praise heaped upon him. It simply means that Super Bowl winning franchises have stability at quarterback, not at one position on the defensive line.

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This is not a fluff piece for Jared Goff or Carson Wentz. It does not need to be because many believe that both rookies have a far greater career ceiling than Sam Bradford or Chase Daniel. The question at hand is whether the difference between Fletcher Cox and defensive linemen such as Bennie Logan or Vinny Curry is more substantial than the difference in the quarterbacks. The old adage of defenses win championships is still relevant, but a capable quarterback will always be the most important position on the 53-man roster.

The likelihood of Fletcher Cox being traded is slim-to-none. But the question again is not the logistics. The underlying question is whether the Titans would balk at the chance for landing such a revered piece of the Eagles defense. After all, if Fletcher Cox truly is a cornerstone piece of an NFL team, why wouldn’t the Titans accept a deal? The Titans already have their franchise quarterback on the roster. The Eagles, a year after failing to acquire the rights to Marcus Mariota, are still in search of a long-term signal caller. The final question leading up to the draft is: Does Fletcher Cox bring the Philadelphia Eagles closer to a championship than a franchise quarterback?

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