PHILADELPHIA — Defensive end Brandon Graham has decided to come out of retirement and is finalizing a deal to join the Philadelphia Eagles this week, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
Graham, who was the longest-tenured player in franchise history, will be entering his 16th season. In a video posted to social media, he announced a special announcement on his podcast “Unblocked” at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday.
The move follows the sudden retirement of Za’Darius Smith last week. Smith led a depleted edge group with 1.5 sacks.
The Eagles entered the season with edge questions following the departures of Graham and Josh Sweat. The position took another hit when Nolan Smith Jr. was placed on injured reserve last month with a triceps injury. Smith is expected to return following Philadelphia’s Week 9 bye.
Ogbo Okoronkwo was also placed on IR with a triceps injury after Philadelphia’s Week 4 game.
Graham, 37, returned from a torn triceps to play in the Super Bowl last season and helped the Eagles win their second championship in what was considered the final game of his NFL career.
“If he was to come back, hell yeah,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said Sunday after Philadelphia’s win over Minnesota. “That’s uncle there, uncle OG. One of the most important plays we had to win the Super Bowl last year. I think it would just add depth and pop.”
Graham holds the Eagles record for most regular season games played (206) and is third in franchise history with 76.5 career sacks. He made his only Pro Bowl in 2020 and recorded his first double-digit sack season in 2022 with 11.
Graham’s sack of Tom Brady in the final moments of Super Bowl LII helped secure a close victory against the New England Patriots and delivered the first Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia.
