Cox, 25, is listed at 6 feet 4 and 300 pounds. The versatile young lineman has played defensive tackle in a four-man front and defense end in a 3-4 alignment. He has started every game of the past three seasons for the Eagles and posted career highs in tackles (71) and sacks (9.5) in 2015.

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By locking up the 12th overall selection the 2012 draft, the Eagles continued a commitment to retaining their young, talented core.

Before re-upping with the Eagles, Cox was due to become an unrestricted free agent in 2017. He had skipped voluntary offseason workouts in May but reported on time to mandatory minicamp last week.

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“I’m happy to be back in Philadelphia to get back to work with my teammates and coaches,” Cox said in a statement issued by the Eagles’ public relations department upon his arrival. “I’m excited for this upcoming season and I can’t wait to get on the field for minicamp this week, learn our new defense, and do whatever I can to help our team win. Any discussion about my absence from the offseason program or my contract will be handled privately between me, my agent and the Eagles organization.”

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Prior to that, Eagles Coach Doug Pederson said he reached out to Cox “multiple times” but had not talked to him.

With a new defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz, the Eagles will revert to a base 4-3 scheme this season. The shift should cater to Cox’s strengths at what is considered to be a more natural position. Defensive tackles who have enjoyed success under Schwartz’ tutelage include Albert Haynesworth in Tennessee, Ndamukong Suh in Detroit, and Marcell Dareus in Buffalo.

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