Report: Brandon Graham mulling return to Philadelphia Eagles after retirement

Long time Philadelphia Eagles EDGE rusher Brandon Graham could come out of retirement and return to the team, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Graham is considering a return amid the Eagles’ need for pass rushers after six games.

The Eagles are down to Moro Ojomo and Azeez Ojulari as their primary pass rushers on the edge. Breakout star Nolan Smith is still on injured reserve, although could return within a few weeks at or around the Eagles’ bye week. Not only that, Za’Darius Smith surprisingly retired within the last week.

But, Philadelphia lost Graham to retirement and other key defensive players after last year’s Super Bowl win. That included star pass rusher Josh Sweat, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

Over the course of his career, Graham went from potential first round bust, to beloved superstar with the Eagles. He finished his career with 487 tackles, 126 tackles for loss, 75.6 sacks, including a career high 11 in 2022, 11 pass deflections, 22 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

The highlight of Graham’s career came in Super Bowl LII, where he strip-sacked New England Patriots QB Tom Brady to help the Eagles clinch their first Lombardi in franchise history.

Last season, Graham was thought to be lost for the year with a torn triceps in the middle of the campaign. However, he recovered fast enough to be activated for Super Bowl LIX.

Two years after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, Graham took the field in New Orleans in February Led by Jalen Hurts at QB and a stellar defensive effort, the Eagles dominated the Chiefs 40-22 to win their second Lombardi.

Graham was the longest tenured player in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, playing all 15 seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. Now, he could be back for a 16th season ahead of a home game against the New York Giants. The Eagles play in Minnesota Sunday as Graham mulls a return.

“You definitely want to leave this place better than when you came in,” Graham said in March 2024 after deciding to come back ahead of a Super Bowl run. “I’m just going to be pouring into the guys, trying to get them to realize what they got in front of them, that these opportunities don’t come often when you got a good team, so let’s take full advantage of the moment.”

Graham was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Michigan. Overall, Graham is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2016 and a Pro Bowler in 2020. While in college, Graham was the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in 2009 and was a First-Team All-American that season.