Philadelphia Eagles DE Brandon Graham announces retirement from NFL

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham officially announced his retirement from the NFL. This marks the end of a storied career for the longtime Eagle.

Over the course of his career, Graham went from potential first round bust, to beloved superstar with the Eagles. He finished his career with 487 tackles, 126 tackles for loss, 75.6 sacks, including a career high 11 in 2022, 11 pass deflections, 22 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.

The highlight of Graham’s career came in Super Bowl LII, where he strip-sacked New England Patriots QB Tom Brady to help the Eagles clinch their first Lombardi in franchise history.

This past season, Graham was thought to be lost for the season with a torn triceps in the middle of the year. However, he recovered fast enough to be activated for Super Bowl LIX.

Two years after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, Graham took the field in New Orleans last month. Led by Jalen Hurts at QB and a stellar defensive effort, the Eagles dominated the Chiefs 40-22 to win their second Lombardi.

“I want to make sure I use it wisely,” Graham said of his energy in the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX. “I might not be talking as much because I’m trying to save my energy because it has been two months since I’ve played, but I am excited. … Working with the strength staff, the trainers, I feel like we’ve got a good, little regiment that will make sure they bridge me back into everything.”

Graham was the longest tenured player in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, playing all 15 seasons in the City of Brotherly Love.

“You definitely want to leave this place better than when you came in,” Graham said in March 2024 after deciding to come back for this past season. “I’m just going to be pouring into the guys, trying to get them to realize what they got in front of them, that these opportunities don’t come often when you got a good team, so let’s take full advantage of the moment.”

Graham was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Michigan. Overall, Graham is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2016 and a Pro Bowler in 2020. While in college, Graham was the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in 2009 and was a First-Team All-American that season.