Much has been made about how the Philadelphia Eagles have spent, by far, the most guaranteed money in the NFL this offseason. The Birds might not be totally done just yet. There's still one obvious player who is both eligible and deserving of a contract extension: Bennie Logan. The team's starting defensive tackle is actually Philadelphia's only projected 2016 starter to be a free agent following the season.
Logan has been a very good nose tackle for the Eagles since being drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He ranked as one of the best players in the NFL at stuffing the run last year. He's also shown the ability to push the pocket at times. The 26-year-old defensive lineman should have more opportunity to get after the passer in Philadelphia's new attacking 4-3 defensive.
But can the Eagles afford to pay Logan in the long-term? The Birds already have a lot of money tied up in their defensive line. Take a look at the cap number for the team's starting defensive ends in 2017: Vinny Curry is $9 million, Connor Barwin is $8.35 million, and Brandon Graham is $7.5 million. And then there's Fletcher Cox, who carries a $9.4 million cap number next year.
Despite all this, Cox, who shares an agent with Logan, seems confident the Eagles can still lock up Logan to a long-term deal. Cox cited Philadelphia's philosophy of rewarding their home-grown talent.
"I think that you can see the moves and the things that the Eagles did earlier in the offseason to keep the players that they drafted," Cox told Bleeding Green Nation Radio. "I think that says a lot. It says a lot about the organization wanting to keep the players that they brought in because they know what those players are capable of doing. They know how that organization operates. With that being said, it’d be great, great [to have] Bennie staying around. I know that Bennie would love to stay there. I’m looking forward to it."
The 26-year-old Logan has been a good player to this point in his career. He might excel even more in Jim Schwartz's scheme. It would be ideal for the Eagles to lock him up soon, especially with having such little depth behind him. If a contract extension doesn't materialize, however, the Eagles might have to count on getting a compensatory pick for him if he walks in free agency next offseason.
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Listen to Bleeding Green Nation's exclusive interview with Fletcher Cox starting at the 7:17 mark. Check out the full transcript below.
Fletcher Cox’s work with Gatorade
“Today I’m here in Atlanta with a lot of kids and I’m here with Gatorade for the Beat The Heat program. The Beat The Heat program is really about where the athletes teach kids — a lot of athletes from all sports — basically about the importance of hydrating the body when it’s hot outside. I don’t think you can push that enough on the kids or any athletes about how important hydration is.”
Has it sunk in that you’re the 100 million dollar man?
“[laughs] I don’t think it really has sunk in. Maybe a little bit. I just think I’m very blessed to have that happen. My family is happy, the community is happy, and they’re all looking forward to the 2016 season.”
Does the money change the need to be careful in public?
“That’s any professional athlete, I think. Always be aware of where you’re at and what you’re doing because you always have that target on your back. Really just being smart and decision making.”
Impression of Jim Schwartz?
“I’ve only been around Jim for three days, and that was the three days of minicamp. He demands greatness, man. He’s not going to settle for mediocre stuff. He wants it done the way he wants it done, and that’s the only way. He brings a lot of energy and he’s gonna get after the quarterback.”
Difference between playing in the 3-4 and 4-3
“I think I can play in both, any defense they put me in. It’s just having to embrace it and buying in to what coaches want you to do. For the last three years I was in the 3-4 defense, two-gapping. And nowadays they’re asking me to do something different. That’s part of being a professional.”
Does Cox think he can be as good as Reggie White and Jerome Brown? Or even better?
“The main focus for me is to just go out and just do whatever that I can do to help the team win. I think the numbers and stuff, they’ll come. But those guys, Reggie and Jerome were great, great guys. That says a lot to even be compared to those guys. I just think we’ll take it one step at a time and see where I end up.”