The Philadelphia Eagles have spent the offseason making the necessary roster tweaks that will bring the team back to prominence. Several players have left town, while some newcomers have joined the franchise. Through all the comings and goings, however, several Eagle free agents haven't found a job yet, and that will continue in April.
Defensive end Brandon Graham is at the top of the list, and it shouldn't be a shocker to see him stay on the market through April. The 2026 draft will take place on April 23-25, and that has grabbed the attention of front office executives throughout the league. Those draft decisions will directly impact the remainder of the free agency period, which will force Graham to stay available for the month.
Brandon Graham Will Likely Stay on FA Market Through April
Last offseason, Graham decided to retire, but ultimately returned in October after Za'Darius Smith walked away from the game mid-season, creating a hole on the defensive line. Graham was used sparingly, playing in 19 percent of defensive snaps. In those reps, he finished with eight total tackles, 3 QB hits, and three sacks. Despite being 38 years old, Graham would be open to coming back for his 17th season in Philly.
Back in February, during an episode of his Brandon Graham Unblocked podcast, Graham didn't hide his feelings, saying, "If Howie (Roseman) makes that call, I’m coming back! One more!"
While his feelings are clear, it doesn't mean that the Eagles will be in a rush to bring him back, especially with the draft taking place in a couple of weeks. Philadelphia saw Jaelan Phillips sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency after making him a high-dollar offer the Eagles couldn't realistically match. That created a void at the edge for this team, and fans should expect Philadelphia to make some additions there in the draft.
The edge room isn't good enough, and with the Eagles having nine total picks in this month's draft, they'll take swings to bolster the defensive front. And with Graham only wanting to play for the Eagles, he'll wait to see if they want to bring him back. They very well could go down that route, but it isn't a priority for them.
Adding Graham to the fold seems like a move that would happen in the summer before training camp starts. That would give Graham the chance to ramp up before the season starts, but with him being a seasoned vet who knows the scheme, they wouldn't feel a rush to re-sign him and have him in the building for OTAs.
The next few weeks are all about zeroing in on the draft prospects. Philadelphia has work to do in that area first, but should be keen on diving back into the free agent market at some point this summer. Graham is an Eagles legend, but that doesn't mean the team will change their approach for him this month. He'll likely be available for the rest of the month, continuing his quiet free agency.