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The Philadelphia Eagles defense took a major blow last week when Za’Darius Smith abruptly decided to retire from the NFL following the team’s loss to the New York Giants.
Prior to the Eagles’ Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, multiple reports indicated that the team could regain some support on defense with the possible return of Brandon Graham.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Graham, 37, retired after the Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. He was the longest-tenured Eagles player in franchise history, spending 15 seasons with Philadelphia. He could be in line for a 16th season if the two teams finalize a contract.
ESPN reported that he is “strongly considering” coming out of retirement to join the Eagles.
Philadelphia selected Graham in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Michigan. He did not start as a starter. It took him a few seasons to secure the role of a full-time passer and someone the Eagles could rely on consistently.
Brandon Graham of the Philadelphia Eagles watches the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on April 13, 2025. (Kyle Ross/Imagn Images)
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Graham earned the only Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2020. He had eight sacks this season. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the second week of the 2021 season, which cost him the rest of the year. He returned to the field in 2022, playing in all 17 games and recording a career-high 11 sacks.
He retired with 76.5 career sacks and 487 total tackles. He was part of two of the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning teams.
Smith’s retirement depleted the Eagles’ franchise depth in the top seven. Graham, 37, would be counted on to provide some sort of shock to the defense.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) with team safety Dom DiSandro after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
The team’s starting linebackers include Azeez Ojulari, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean and Jalyx Hunt. Second-string linebackers include Josh Uche, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Patrick Johnson.
