Brandon Graham Provides Huge Retirement Update at Eagles Training Camp
![Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham speaks to the media after the first day of training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2023. Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham speaks to the media after the first day of training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2023.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5568,h_3132,x_0,y_367/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/190/01j3jrmga03814jxag0e.jpg)
Chuck Bednarik. Fletcher Cox. Brian Dawkins. Many of the longest tenured players in Philadelphia Eagles history have been fearsome defenders who easily became fan favorites. But none of them spent more time with the team than Brandon Graham.
Graham has played a franchise record 195 games for the Eagles, and he's entering his 15th season with the team since being drafted No. 13 overall back in 2010. With training camp opening for 2024, Graham has also provided an official update on his pending retirement.
#Eagles DE Brandon Graham confirmed to reporters that he will be retiring after this season, his 15th in the NFL — all of which were with Philadelphia.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 24, 2024
A tremendous career, and he'll have a well-deserved farewell season. pic.twitter.com/3C7SJQO5X2
Eagles News: Brandon Graham Gives Retirement Update
Brandon Graham himself has confirmed reports that he intends to retire at the end of the 2024 NFL season. If he played a full 17-game campaign, that would give him 212 games played with the franchise — a full 19 more than the second-placed Jason Kelce.
This is also starting to feel like the end of an era in Philadelphia. The three franchise leaders in games played (Graham, Kelce and Cox) have all spent most of their careers playing togther — and it's a serious testament to the work Howie Roseman has done keeping the key pieces of this roster together.
In addition to being an ironman and a longtime fan favorite for his off-field work in the community, Graham is No. 4 in franchise history for sacks. He has no hopes of matching Reggie White's 124.0, and even Trend Cole's 85.5 are probably out of reach, but he only needs 3.0 more to tie Clyde Simmons for the third most in franchise history with 76.0.
Of course, at 36 years old, Graham's contributions in 2024 will be as much about what he brings to the locker room as what he brings on the field. The Eagles' top three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft were all defensive players, and those youngsters stand to learn a lot about what it means to be a pro by following Graham's example.
That isn't to diminish Graham's ability to make a difference when he does play, either. After finishing with 11.0 sacks in 2022 he filled a rotational role in 2023, racking up 3.0 sacks and earning a solid 78.5 pass-rush grade from PFF while playing just 34% of the team's defensive snaps.
Now all that's left is for the Eagles to give Graham the sendoff he deserves. Let him ride off into the sunset with his second Super Bowl ring.
As far as how likely that Super Bowl is, Philly currently has the fifth-best odds in the NFL, at +1300, to hoist the Lombardi Trophy according to FanDuel Sportsbook. They only barely trail the Detroit Lions (+1200) and Baltimore Ravens (+1000).
Most Games Played in Eagles History
Rank | Player | Games Played | Years With Team |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Brandon Graham | 195* | 2010-2024 |
2 | Jason Kelce | 193 | 2011-2023 |
T3 | Fletcher Cox | 188 | 2012-2023 |
T3 | David Akers | 188 | 1999-2010 |
5 | Brian Dawkins | 183 | 1996-2008 |
6 | Harold Carmichael | 180 | 1971-1983 |
7 | Brent Celek | 175 | 2007-2017 |
8 | Chuck Bednarik | 169 | 1949-1962 |
9 | Tra Thomas | 166 | 1998-2008 |
10 | Jon Dorenbos | 162 | 2006-2016 |
* - active
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