The Philadelphia Eagles and Fletcher Cox have just closed a massive deal, making the defensive tackle the highest paid non-quarterback athlete in the league. Based on the details of the contract, the Eagles truly appreciate Cox's efforts and want him in the roster for a long time.

As confirmed by ESPN, Cox had just signed a six-year contract with Philadelphia that's worth a whopping $103 million with $63 million guaranteed. That instantly puts him on the same level as the highest-paid athletes in the league. It also makes him the first non-QB to receive that much in the history of the NFL.

Now, from a glance, it would appear that the Eagles made a very hasty decision in offering Cox a huge amount of money just to stay with the team for six years. But actually, looking at where Cox is in his career right now, the Eagles may have just made a good investment.

Right now, Cox is 25 years old and won't turn 26 until December of this year. That means he will begin the 2016 season under his renewed contract while he's still relatively young.

And, once his contract ends in 2022, he'll be 32 years old. Following this timeline, it's pretty clear that the Eagles will have Cox during the best or prime years of his budding football career. Of course, once he reaches 32, he'll be a veteran among the other athletes and will most likely get another contract extension or a good offer from a different team.

Cox first debuted in the league in 2012 after getting drafted by Philadelphia. During his first four seasons with the team, Cox immediately displayed his value by collecting 308 tackles and 22 sacks, according to The Guardian.

Even Rex Ryan, the coach of the Buffalo Bills, took notice of Cox's dominance in the field when his team took on the Eagles in December last year.

"That No. 91 is a good player," he said after that game. "I was laughing when I saw him being compared to Jerome Brown, but I'm not laughing now. The kid is a pretty good player."