Brandon Graham may have retired after helping the Philadelphia Eagles capture Super Bowl LIX with a 40-22 victory over Kansas City, but the legendary pass rusher clearly hasn't lost his edge when it comes to protecting his team's reputation. Graham's recent comments about Washington Commanders newcomer Deebo Samuel have reopened one of the NFL's most bitter personal feuds.
At DeVonta Smith's Celebrity Softball Game on Saturday, Graham delivered a pointed shot when discussing the Commanders' acquisition of Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. "I wouldn't worry about him, he gotta be in shape first. He don't look like he in shape right now."
The comments immediately went viral, but their significance runs much deeper than typical offseason trash talk. Graham's words represent the latest chapter in a saga that began during the 2023 NFC Championship Game, when the Eagles demolished the 49ers 31-7. The victory was overshadowed by injuries that decimated San Francisco's quarterback room, leaving Brock Purdy unable to throw effectively after suffering an elbow injury.
Samuel, who managed just 33 yards on six targets in the blowout, was visibly frustrated. Rather than accepting the loss gracefully, Samuel embarked on a months-long campaign against the Eagles that would define one of the NFL's most personal rivalries.
The real fireworks began when Samuel appeared on the "I Am Athlete" podcast with former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. When asked about weaknesses in Philadelphia's defense, Samuel pointed to the secondary. But when McCoy specifically asked about Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, Samuel's response was brutal: "Trash!"
The timing couldn't have been worse. The podcast aired before the Eagles' Super Bowl LVII matchup against Kansas City, and when Bradberry was flagged for a crucial penalty that helped seal Philadelphia's loss, Samuel immediately gloated on social media: "Believe me now."
Samuel revealed in a May 2023 interview that his "most hated team is the Eagles right now," and his disdain became so pronounced that he abruptly ended a radio interview when the host brought up Philadelphia. When the teams met again in Week 13 of the 2023 season, Samuel backed up his trash talk with a dominant performance, recording three touchdowns in a crushing 42-19 49ers victory at Lincoln Financial Field.
The win was so lopsided that Samuel later dismissed the entire notion of an Eagles-49ers rivalry. "I consider rivalries close games," he said during Super Bowl LVIII media week. "We ain't going to talk about that no more. That's over with."
Now Samuel finds himself in the NFC East as a member of the Commanders, acquired for just a fifth-round pick after posting career-low numbers last season (51 catches, 670 yards, three touchdowns). Washington took on his full $17.55 million salary, hoping a fresh start will rejuvenate the veteran receiver.
What makes this situation explosive is the context. Samuel will now suit up for a division rival, meaning his grudge against Philadelphia becomes a twice-yearly spectacle. The Commanders are betting that pairing Samuel with Terry McLaurin will give Jayden Daniels enough firepower to challenge the reigning Super Bowl champions.
If Saturday was any indication, Brandon Graham has no intention of letting that challenge go uncontested. And with Deebo Samuel now wearing a rival uniform, this feud is only just getting started.