Eagles great Brandon Graham retires — again — at 38

Brandon Graham is calling it a career.

This time, seemingly, for good.

The 16-year veteran of the Eagles announced at an Eagles pep rally at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital that he is retiring from the NFL for the second time in as many years.

“Everybody, I’m officially done,” Graham said Tuesday morning. “Y’all hearing it from me first. But let me tell you this: They are in great hands. I mean, Jordan Davis, I’m telling you, he is a guy that’s going to get the defense going. On offense, I can’t wait for Jalen [Hurts] to prove them haters wrong as always and get us back to the promised land.

“I’m going to still be around, I’m still giving wisdom, still helping the guys. Because, of course, it’s an adjustment for me, but it’s a great adjustment. Because it’s all about my kids and my family, trying to make sure I’m there for that. And just spreading the love everywhere. For me, I’m done. Just letting y’all know so y’all ain’t gotta ask me no more. I’m ready to move on.”

The veteran defensive end had a fitting sendoff after winning Super Bowl 2025 with the Eagles in a rout over the Chiefs in what was supposed to be his last game in the NFL.

Left tackle Jordan Mailata said after the win in New Orleans that getting a second Lombardi Trophy for Graham meant the world.

Brandon Graham celebrates after the Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025. Getty Images

“We believed him,” Mailata said. “The ultimate goal was to get it done, but to get it for Brandon, if this is his last year. For him to go out as a champion, that’s special. That’s something that we are going to remember. I just realized that was my last game with B.G.”

Nevertheless, in late October last season, the 2020 Pro Bowler returned to the team after Za’Darius Smith retired. He played in nine games while recording three sacks.

Graham suited up for the Eagles’ wild-card round loss to the 49ers but did not get on the stat sheet.

Brandon Graham tackles Tom Brady during the Eagles’ 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Getty Images

Graham, who finished his career with 79.5 sacks, came up huge in Super Bowl 2018 with a key strip sack of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady late in the fourth quarter.

Four times in his career, he recorded seasons with at least eight sacks, including a career-best 11 in 2022. Graham added 5.5 sacks and 18 tackles in 13 playoff games.

“I enjoyed it,” Graham said Tuesday, “and now it’s just time to be either in the stands or on the sideline whenever I choose to make that next transition, step.”