Brandon Graham ended his retirement to rejoin the Philadelphia Eagles at the risk of spoiling a Hollywood ending to his 15-year NFL career.
Graham walked off the field in New Orleans in February with a second Lombardi Trophy already having planned for the final game of the 2024 season being his last.
Those plans changed and Graham made the one-year deal with the Eagles official.
“I’m coming back, baby. I’m excited,” Graham said Tuesday. “No expectations. Just excited to get after it. Of course, I believe in the team. That’s a big part of it too. I know they’ve got everything that they need. Just can’t wait to add a little more.”
Graham, 37, said he wanted to keep playing after returning from a torn triceps to play in the Super Bowl earlier this year. But he didn’t get a sense from the Eagles that they wanted him back, and wasn’t willing to play for another team. Graham is the longest-tenured player in team history.
“It was only going to be for the Eagles,” he said Tuesday.
The Eagles are 26th in the NFL with 11 sacks this season. Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo are on injured reserve, and Okoronkwo was ruled out for the season.
Graham cranked up the intensity of his workouts in September with a potential return in mind. The Eagles have an open roster spot and added him directly to the 53-man roster, making Graham eligible to play Sunday against the New York Giants.
He has 76.5 career sacks, but only 6.5 total in his past 28 regular-season games.
Graham obviously knows the team and scheme. He said his timeline was adjusted by pass rusher Za’Darius Smith abruptly retiring last week.
Until Graham practices with the team on Wednesday, he isn’t clear if he’ll be active for the Week 8 game or wait for Nov. 10 following the Eagles’ bye next week.
“I am glad I’m doing it earlier because I get a week of practice. Get another week on the bye week. Of course, I’m going to do some extra (work). I’ve got to get my training camp going,” Graham said. “I think by Green Bay I should be a go. Just easing my way in. But who knows? It could be this week. You just never know. They want to see where I’m at.”