Following the retirement of defensive end Za’Darius Smith, former Eagle Brandon Graham is now seriously considering coming out of retirement to sign with Philadelphia, league sources tell ESPN.
Graham played 15 seasons in Philadelphia and became the longest-tenured Eagle in franchise history. The two-time Super Bowl champion could now be poised to build on those marks if he and the Eagles can finalize a contract this week, sources say.
Graham, 37, returned from a torn triceps to play in last season’s Super Bowl and help the Eagles win their second championship in what was considered the final game of his NFL career.
The defensive end retired last offseason but missed the game and considered not retiring, according to sources.
Smith, who signed a one-year contract with the Eagles after their Week 1 win over the Cowboys, informed the team of his decision to retire Monday morning, marking a sudden departure for a productive player at a position of need for Philadelphia.
The Eagles entered the season with question marks 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. Ogbo Okoronkwo was also placed on IR with a triceps injury after Philadelphia’s Week 4 game.
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 campaign in 2022, posting 11 takedowns.
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.
ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.
