Brandon Graham Shocks Eagles Fans: Veteran DE Announces Return for One More Super Bowl Run

Veteran defensive end Brandon Graham is reportedly “strongly considering” ending his brief retirement and re-signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to multiple league insiders Sunday morning. WHY THE COMEBACK MAKES SENSE • Roster need: Two-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith announced his own retirement last week, leaving Philadelphia thin on edge depth behind Josh Sweat and first-round rookie Kalen Carter. • Chemistry and leadership: Graham spent 14 seasons in midnight green, served three years as a team captain and authored the strip-sack of Tom Brady that sealed Super Bowl LII. • Production is still there: Even at 37, he logged 8.5 sacks and 20 QB hits in 2024 before retiring in March. WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Graham has already spoken with general manager Howie Roseman about terms that would bring him back for the remainder of the 2025 campaign. NBC Sports’ Josh Alper adds that the Eagles have roughly $7.3 million in cap space and could slot Graham into an incentive-laden one-year deal as early as this week. LOCKER-ROOM IMPACT Quarterback Jalen Hurts called Graham “the heartbeat of this team” during last season’s playoff run, and coaches routinely praised his mentorship of young linemen. A late-season return would immediately bolster a defense that ranks 25th in sacks and is allowing 5.1 yards per carry. PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS At 4-2, the Eagles sit second in the NFC East behind Dallas. Adding Graham’s pass-rush juice could tilt key December matchups against the Cowboys, 49ers and Lions—games that will likely decide NFC playoff seeding. NEXT STEPS TO WATCH 1. Medical evaluation at the NovaCare Complex early this week. 2. Contract structure—expect a veteran minimum base (~$1.4 M) with sack and playoff incentives. 3. Roster move—undrafted rookie Malik Hamm is the likeliest cut to free a spot on the 53. BOTTOM LINE Graham’s potential unretirement would give Philadelphia an immediate edge-setting presence, inject veteran leadership into a young locker room and energize a fan base craving another deep postseason run. If the physical and financial pieces fall into place, expect No. 55 to be back in an Eagles helmet before the Week 8 showdown with Washington.