Brandon Graham Mulling Retirement After the 2023 Season
It’s tough to find a person with a bad thing to say about Brandon Graham. Philadelphia Eagles fans adore the franchise legend who set a career-high in sacks for the NFC champions in 2022.
Will they watch him for the last time in 2023?
Graham made some interesting comments to Jeff McLane on uncovering the Birds. Retirement isn’t off the table if the Eagles win Super Bowl LVIII after the 2023 season.
“This might be the one. I’m saying it. I’m saying it. As far as, (if) we win it, I might have to consider going out on top.” -Brandon Graham
Brandon Graham
Eagles fans undoubtedly know the admirable story of a player who overcame the first-round “bust” label to strip-sack Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII for the most impactful play in franchise history.
Graham, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, and Lane Johnson have withstood the test of time as foundational players throughout multiple head coaching regimes, two Super Bowl appearances, and the franchise’s most memorable season in 2017.
The Eagles have had their fair share of draft misses, but they certainly succeeded by selecting one of the four respective linemen in four consecutive drafts from 2010-2013.
Kelce continues to sign annual one-year contracts through his mid-30s to delay an inevitable retirement. His decision makes the headlines each offseason. It might seem like he’ll never go away, but it’s clear the star center is near the end.
Cox is on a similar farewell tour of one-year contracts without nearly as much attention. Johnson might’ve hung up the pads for good if the Eagles won Super Bowl LVII.
Impact of Potential Brandon Graham Retirement
Graham’s timeline hasn’t been as clear. He agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Philadelphia for the 2023 season.
“I wasn’t interested in going anywhere else,” he said in March. “This is my home. I love everything about the Eagles, about being part of this family.”
Sack totals are the most obvious way to judge edge rushers. On the surface, a career-high 11 sacks in 2022 suggests Graham is at his peak. However, he played only 43% of the defensive snaps last season, his lowest percentage in a full season since 2014.
The loaded stable of defensive linemen also put intense pressure on opponents to handle a fearsome pass rush, allowing individuals on the defensive line to feast on opportunities for excellent statistical seasons.
Is the writing on the wall for an aging player? Graham specifically pointed out to McLane that winning a second Super Bowl would make his decision much easier. The Eagles are favorites in the NFC entering the 2023 season, and they have as good of a chance at a Lombardi Trophy as they’ve had in recent history.
No Philadelphia Eagles fans want to see Graham go. They’ll miss what Jordan Mailata called an “infectious laugh” that defines his teammate’s aura of positivity. It’ll be disappointing in the moment.
However, they won’t be too disappointed if they’re celebrating their second Super Bowl in seven seasons.
If Brandon Graham decides on retirement because of the satisfaction of going out on top, it’ll be a good problem for Eagles fans to face.
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