Eagles Core Four Breaking Up After Jason Kelce Retirement: 'Last of The Mohicans'

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce retired, leaving Brandon Graham, Lane Johnson, and Fletcher Cox as the elder statesmen. Could one or more follow Kelce out the door?

TAMPA – The Core Four is no more.

Jason Kelce is out, and that leaves Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, and Lane Johnson as the Philadelphia Eagles’ senior statesmen who have played together for more than a decade in Philly.

Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, Graham said that he wants one more year. He called it a farewell tour.

“If the Eagles want me to do it one more time I would love to be here for another year because I know we got something special,” he said. “It’ll be year 15, my farewell tour. I’ll be done next year.”

Lane Johnson said he still has a few more good years in him, so he’ll be back.

“Whatever time I have left, I’m giving everything I got,” he said. “I have to make improvements as a player, but I’ll give this town everything I have, so, hopefully, next year we’re not having this (premature season-ending) conversation.”

Howie Roseman with Fletcher Cox (91), Jason Kelce (62), and Lane Johnson following a walkthrough practice on Oct. 26, 2022 :: John McMullen/SI Fan Nation Eagles Today

Then there’s Cox.

When the locker room opened inside Raymond James Stadium, he and Matt Patricia were saying their goodbyes with a hug.

Patricia is likely gone. Cox might, too.

When asked to talk, Cox said, “I’m not available.”

Cox is 33 and made $10 million on a one-year deal. He had the kind of season that may warrant a return. 

He had five sacks in the regular season and tacked on a half-sack on Monday night but had the second-fewest tackles in his career with 33. And this defense took a big step backward this year.

Kelce Retires, Eagles React: 'Forever A Special Place in My Heart'

Still, Cox can offer some serious leadership in a locker room transitioning to younger players such as Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo. If the Eagles feel those players are ready to work without the safety net of Cox’s guidance then he may not be back.

Whether he is still worth $10 million is something general manager Howie Roseman will need to decide.

Cox had an offer worth more to go to the New York Jets when he was a free agent last offseason but chose to return to the familiarity of the team that drafted him in 2012. With Kelce gone and maybe Graham, perhaps Cox will be more motivated to depart.

“Might be the Last of the Mohicans, me and BG,” said Johnson. “Yeah, I want to make it (Graham’s potential farewell tour) special for him. We’re going to miss some guys.”