Earlier this week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders added a second generation football talent to their roster with the signing of defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr.
The 28-year-old’s professional football career began undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2017 following that year’s National Football League (NFL). He would go on to play in 26 regular season games with the Panthers, Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills. He then signed with the Indianapolis Colts last June but was released by the team at the end of July.
During the off-season in 2021 he suffered a torn Achilles injury that has derailed his playing career, which he hopes to restore north of the border in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Roughriders.
On Thursday, the Florida product was a guest of The SportsCage with Michael Ball.
One of the adjustments that Cox Jr. will have to make with the Canadian game is the extra yard defensive lineman are required to line up off the line of scrimmage. He noted that it’s a different dynamic lining with the extra space, but it does offer some benefits against opposing offensive lineman.
“Definitely gives you more space to put the offensive linemen in so they can think a little more so you can work your moves.”
Throughout his entire life, the former Florida Gator did not have to search far to find advice about football. His father, Bryan Cox was a three-time Pro Bowler during his 12-year career that included a Super Bowl XXXVI victory with the New England Patriots.
Following his football career, the former linebacker pursued a coaching career in the NFL with stops with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falc0ns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. He was hired by the New York Giants this past February as their new defensive line assistant.
Cox Jr. said him and his father have had numerous discussions about football, sometimes even inside of their causal daily conservations.
One of the biggest lessons that Cox Jr. has gained from his father involves respect.
“Just always treat people with respect, no matter who it is, no matter where you are, you got to give respect to get it.”
Cox was one of the hardest hitting players during his time in the NFL and the apple apparently hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
“I definitely got a little edge to me, so that’s something I take pride in and I like to carry with me and play with that edge at all times.”
There will be plenty of competition awaiting Cox Jr. during training camp with the rest of the Roughriders interior defensive linemen. The group is led by Anthony Lanier II, Americans Miles Brown and Demarcus Christmas and Canadian Charbel Dabire are also among the veterans returning. Saskatchewan also signed Micah Johnson during the off-season.
