Brandon Graham, the longest-tenured player in Philadelphia Eagles franchise history, is returning! He’s working on a new contract to come out of retirement and return to the team for his 16th season. At 37 years old, Graham is already the leader in most regular-season games played in Eagles history. He ranks third in franchise history with an impressive total of 76.5 career sacks.
Graham’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Eagles. The team had little luck at the defensive end position as well. With triceps injuries, both Nolan Smith Jr. and Ogbo Okoronkwo have been put on injured reserve. As the Eagles look to maintain their competitiveness in the league, Graham’s experience and leadership are expected to be invaluable.
In 2022, that potential finally blossomed into production as Graham enjoyed his first double-digit sack season with 11 sacks. This achievement does show he is still capable of having a strong impact on games. His career highlight, of course, was a pivotal third-down strip sack of Tom Brady in the closing moments of Super Bowl LII. That amazing strip sack resulted in a dramatic last minute victory against the New England Patriots and launched the Eagles to their second ever championship.
Supplementing his historic run in the Super Bowl, Graham reached his first and only Pro Bowl in 2020. His tenacity and play on the field is precisely what has made him a fan favorite and teammates dream to play with. Jordan Mailata, the Eagles’ massive offensive lineman, was rather enthusiastic at the thought of Graham coming back. To which he responded, “If he came back, hell yeah!
Despite suffering a torn triceps muscle that many believed could mark the end of his NFL career, Graham made a remarkable comeback, participating in last season’s Super Bowl. His courage and resolve have been a tremendous thought-leader blessing to everyone in the organization.
As Graham continues his journey back to the NFL, he is looking to take his legacy with the Eagles to the next level. His love for the game compels him to be all-in. His dedication to the cause will be key as the young franchise moves into an especially challenging period in the near future.
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