Eagles’ Brandon Graham announces his retirement after 16 seasons

Brandon Graham is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Graham, 38, confirmed The athletics The retirement is official on Tuesday. He retired in March 2025 before returning last October to finish the 2026 season. He said it would be his last year if he returns to the field, leaving open the possibility of playing a 17th season. He He announced Tuesday morning at the Jefferson Health event.

Graham said he won’t be joining the team midway through the season, as he did last year. He said at a PHLY Sports event last month that he would like to sign before the start of the regular season if he returns in 2026. The Eagles continue their current edge rusher depth chart, which includes three veteran additions this offseason: Jonathan Grinard, AJ Epenesa and Arnold Ebiketi.

“The relationship between BG, the Eagles and myself has always been constant,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said in July. “Obviously, you’re talking about one of the Eagles’ greatest players and an unbelievable guy. His ability to come back and help us last year was huge for our football team. But again, we’ll take those conversations personally.”

The tributes to Graham came after his retirement ceremony.. When he returned to the Eagles last season, he was effective, recording three sacks in nine games. Graham finished his Eagles career with 79.5 sacks in the regular season and 5.5 in the postseason – most famously since Tom Brady’s fourth quarter in the Super Bowl to help lead Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl. He played in more games (215) and seasons (16) than any player in franchise history.

Graham has already started a media career in Philadelphia. He also talked about maintaining a presence around the franchise.

“BG will be a welcome addition and part of our family,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in March 2025.