Brandon Graham's Storybook Ending Has A Sequel With Some Juice
That storybook ending Brandon Graham penned when he retired last March, with an emotional speech given while framed by the two Lombardi Trophies he helped deliver, has a sequel.
“That storybook can still be there, but reality set in,” said Graham on Wednesday, his first practice after unretiring. “I still had the urge. I felt like I was still on my game last year and still felt like I could help the team. If I didn't feel like that, I wouldn't be back.”
Somewhere in the back of his mind, when he made that speech on March 18, Graham sort of knew that might not truly be the end. Still, he was settling nicely into retirement, playing golf and spending time with his family, running his kids to and from school and to their activities. In between, he was showing up at the Eagles’ facility to work out every day. He had his own space inside the coaches’ locker room.
“I’m not surprised because he’s been working out with us like, you know, even in the summertime I remember coming in and BG was in,” said teammate Josh Uche. “He was always working out.”
Uche saw him so much, he began to wonder if Graham really did retire.
“I couldn’t tell,” he said. “I walk in, he’s watching film just like us. I just felt like football is one thing that I feel like BG can never get away from. Being retired I figured he’d be a coach or something, so when he wasn’t coaching, I’m, like, all right, something might be up. It’s great to have him back.”
Brandon Graham Discusses Decision To Return
Graham admitted he will wake up sore on Thursday morning after donning the pads for the first time since he took 13 snaps in Super Bowl LIX. It’s all part of ramping up for a role that may come Sunday when the New York Giants visit or after the bye week, on Monday night, Nov. 10, in Green Bay.
He said he wasn’t sure what the plan will be, but just knows that, once the soreness passes, he will offer fresh legs to whatever and whenever the role develops.
Graham said he had to talk to his wife when the Eagles first reached out to him before the season. He wasn’t sure then, and the Eagles signed Za’Darius Smith. When Smith retired, the Eagles got back in touch, and Graham and his wife, after further conversation, agreed to put the pads back on and go for another spin.
“We talked about it,” said Graham. “She said, ‘Man, you went out on top.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s cool.’ …It was like man, if I still feel like I can play, why not? And I feel like we got a good team, too. That’s another thing. If the team wasn’t good I’d be like I’m sorry, I gotta go.
“But I do feel like we have an opportunity of a lifetime right now with these people on the team, and how we’ve done a great job putting this team together. I still feel like I have a duty to come in here and help because I still feel like I have some juice left.”
Steelers Part Ways with Injured Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren
PITTSBURGH — After an injury knocked a rookie Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman out of action, his time with the organization has officially come to an end. The Steelers waived Gareth Warren, a massive, 22-year-old offensive tackle, according to the NFL's transaction list.
The move comes after Warren was injured during the Steelers’ second preseason game. Diving for a loose ball, he received a concussion and was unable to return for the rest of preseason action. After being waived with the final roster cuts, the team placed him on the Reserved/Injured List. Now healthy, the team is parting ways with him altogether.
With this designation, Warren is now free to sign with any other NFL team.
Unexpected Rise
Warren joined the Steelers after going undrafted during the 2025 NFL Draft. The 6’6”, 330-pound tackle was passed over after finishing his collegiate career at the FCS school Lindenwood. With several NFL teams interested in signing him as an undrafted free agent, he chose to sign in
The step was a continuation of Warren’s rise up the ranks. Born in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, he was a standout player at Kealakaehe High School before becoming joining the Lindenwood Lions. As a junior, he was a part of an offensive line that dominated the conference and FCS competition. The Lions averaged 39.5 points per game and 509.1 yards per game, both tops in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC).
Lack of Opportunity
Despite showing promise and potential, the road to a spot on the 53-man roster was long. And the road to becoming an impact player at the tackle position even longer.
It’s no disrespect to Warren, but he’s an unrefined player in need of further development and more attention in order to take that next step. Receiving that in Pittsburgh was a low possibility.
The Steelers have two young tackles they fully believe in already. Troy Fautanu has already become an unquestioned staple on the right side, despite this being his first year of playing regular season games in the NFL.
Broderick Jones has similarly gained more and more trust from the Steelers’ coaching staff and starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. He and Fautanu haven’t allowed a sack in two straight games, and the offensive line is gelling more and more as the season progresses.
Behind Jones and Fautanu, the Steelers also have veterans like Dylan Cook and Andrus Peat that can step up in the case of injury.
The result is a crowded path for Warren to become an NFL player, and the Steelers are now giving him the chance to catch on somewhere else.
