On the first day of training camp, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham confirmed that the 2024 NFL season will be his last. If so, he will play his entire 15-season career with the NFC East franchise.
The Eagles selected Graham as the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Before donning the green and white Eagles jerseys, Graham wore the maize and blue of Michigan, wherein he became the Big Ten Most Valuable Player and a First-Team All-American.
Since joining the Eagles, Graham earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 after tallying 46 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. He’s also a 2016 Second-Team All-Pro member after finishing with 59 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Meanwhile, he had 9.5 sacks and 47 tackles in 2017, the season they won Super Bowl LII. Eagles’ fans will never forget his strip sack on Tom Brady, which helped Philadelphia own its first Vince Lombardi Trophy.
We are SO SO lucky in Philly to have athletes like Brandon Graham. Last night in Ocean City was a testament to him and how beloved he is. Fans couldn’t yell “thank you” or “I love you” enough. And he says it right back to every single person. BG is a treasure. Cheers to his last… pic.twitter.com/ovq7XffaC2
— Cindy Webster (@CindyWeb94) July 21, 2024
Five years later, he had a career-high 11 sacks, even though he started only one of 17 regular-season games. While he hasn’t missed a regular-season game in 2022 and 2023, younger edge rushers like Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith Jr. took over as starters.
Graham’s retirement comes a season after long-time Eagles players Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox announced their farewell as NFL players. But while the 36-year-old edge rusher hangs his cleats for good, the Eagles are in good hands after signing Bryce Huff and Devin White.
-Lance Fernandez