Eagles GM Howie Roseman keeps disappointing us as Fletcher Cox returns

The Eagles have better options if they stop staring at Fletcher Cox in the rear-view window.

They’re stuck in the past. That’s the only thing that makes sense now. Once upon a time, the Philadelphia Eagles used to move off of players a year or so too early. Now, they’re consistently moving off of guys a year or so too late.

Duce Staley had a good year or so left when the team moved on from him in 2004. Brian Dawkins got his pink slip in 2009. He still obviously had some juice left as did Jeremiah Trotter when the Birds let him get out of the door in 2001. Fortunately, they were smart enough to bring him back in 2004 as they were gearing up for a Super Bowl run.

These days, however, Howie Roseman and the rest of Philadelphia’s brass is always the last to the party. They’d rather be right than good, so guys like Jason Peters, Jalen Reagor, Derek Barnett, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, and, yes, Fletcher Cox have been retained long after it became evident that they weren’t good anymore.

The Eagles have better options if they can ever leave Fletcher Cox in the rear-view mirror.

If you haven’t heard the news, the Philadelphia Eagles have announced that they will indeed bring Cox back for another NFL season (they’re bringing Boston Scott back). We all thought that this was a possibility when they released him on March 17th, and our theories or, in some cases, our worst fears have been confirmed.

You had to know that the announcement of Howie Roseman’s three-year extension meant the Birds were accepting mediocrity. Re-signing Fletcher Cox is evidence of the same issue.

Cox’s addition to the 2020 Pro Bowl roster was a mirage. He wasn’t the same guy two seasons ago, and he truly looked like a shell of himself in 2021. The Eagles looked like they were finally ready to make tough choices and do what’s right when they released him, but we should have known that it wouldn’t happen.

Howie Roseman is too emotional, and he too often gets attached to players that aren’t good anymore and/or regressing. Fletcher Cox is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Philadelphia Eagles jersey. His spot in Canton is certain as he will be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, however, there’s another side to Cox. He’s on the downside of a great career. He’s lazy. If he’s frustrated during the course of the game by anyone, HE WILL QUIT, and if you think that doesn’t affect a team or set a bad example for the young players, you’re sadly mistaken.

What’s sad is this. If Philly could ever get out of their own way, they could construct a winning roster and culture, but they have to stop looking in the rear-view mirror. Howie Roseman has had his moments of brilliance, but Cox’s reacquisition and the signing of Anthony Harris are concerning.

This is the new norm in Philadelphia. It’s sad, isn’t it? This team has some pieces, but when they’re 3-5 after eight weeks and trying to squeak into the playoffs at 9-8, remember the moves they made in the offseason, like this one.