The Eagles extended a second-round tender to restricted free agent defensive end Cedric Thornton this year because they didn’t want to lose him to another team without compensation.
That was enough to keep other teams from making an offer for Thornton’s services and the Eagles announced that Thornton signed the tender on Monday afternoon. The deal will pay him $2.356 million for next season.
Thornton has started every game for the Eagles over the last two seasons and has established himself as a key part of their run defense. He has 111 tackles in his two years as a starter up front and his return means the Eagles will keep their starting unit of Thornton, Bennie Logan and Fletcher Cox together for at least one more year.
There’s been some talk about discussions between the Eagles and Thornton about a longer deal, something that can continue for the next 11 months before Thornton would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.