Brandon Graham is reportedly set to come out of retirement and return to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2026 NFL season, with Jason Kelce previously suggesting that he should unretire
02:39 ET, 20 Oct 2025
Jason Kelce
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Jason Kelce urged that Graham should continue playing
Philadelphia Eagles icon Brandon Graham is reportedly on the verge of making a comeback after hanging up his cleats last season, with the veteran set for one final campaign following Jason Kelce's urging that he should continue playing.
Graham dedicated his entire 15-year NFL career to the Eagles, capturing two Super Bowl titles while racking up 76.5 sacks and cementing his status as a franchise legend. Following the 2024 campaign, during which the Eagles claimed their second Super Bowl crown, Graham chose to call it quits - a move that Kelce felt wasn't truly what he desired.
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However, with the Eagles seeking reinforcement at his position, multiple insiders have now indicated that he's nearing a comeback with the organization.
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Graham is reportedly close to finalizing a return that would place him back in the rotation, particularly with Nolan Smith dealing with injury issues and following the Eagles' losses of Josh Sweat and Milton Williams during free agency.
Za'Darius Smith
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Graham's comeback would serve as a replacement for Za'Darius Smith
Kelce had maintained that Graham still had plenty left in the tank after his retirement, having recorded 3.5 sacks across 11 appearances last season while serving as a crucial defensive contributor, reports the Irish Star.
Speaking last week, Kelce remarked: "I don't think when he retired he fully wanted to stop playing football."
Before last year's Super Bowl showdown, Graham had hinted at uncertainty regarding his retirement plans, while expressing his passion for being part of the organization.
He stated: "I wanna be a part of every little thing.
"That's why, even if I am done [playing], I'm not done with this organization. I'm gonna be here somehow, someway. I'm gonna figure out where my place at."
Brandon Graham
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Brandon Graham is reportedly on the verge of making a comeback
Graham's comeback would serve as a replacement for Za'Darius Smith, who unexpectedly hung up his cleats just five games into the season, despite racking up 1.5 sacks in four games and being a key player in their rotation.
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Even before losing Smith, the Eagles were already on the hunt for a pass rusher, with Josh Uche and Jalyx Hunt currently leading the charge.
Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson had been rumored to be on the Eagles' radar, but with Joe Flacco stepping in and aiming to turn their season around, the team might reconsider letting him go.
Despite the potential re-signing of Graham, Philadelphia could still be shopping for a rusher.