Eagles Legend Brandon Graham Breaks Silence on Stunning Return to Philly

Brandon Graham is coming home.

The Philadelphia Eagles star defensive lineman announced his return to the team on his podcast “Unblocked” on Monday.

Graham had been reportedly mulling a return to the Eagles after retiring following the Eagles’ 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX — he re-tore his triceps muscle in that game.

The Eagles (5-2) are in first place in the NFC East despite a largely uneven start to the season, especially defensively. They have just a plus-5 point differential and are allowing 23.6 points-against per game, which ranks 20th in the NFL.

Brandon Graham Is Returning To The Eagles Because He ‘Believes In The Team’

Graham is a franchise icon who has played all 15 — now 16 seasons — in Philadelphia. Part of his decision to return hinged on the fact the Eagles are still very much in win-now mode.

“Of course I believe in this team. That’s a big part of this too,” Graham said on “Unblocked” on Tuesday. “I know that they got everything that they need, so I just can’t wait to add a little more value.”

Graham admitted he had felt forced into retirement after the injury — he had torn his triceps in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams then re-tore it against the Chiefs. He said he stayed away from the team during training camp because he was missing the team — especially knowing he could still play.

So coming back and potentially closing the book on his terms was a big part of the decision to return.

Graham also said staying in Philadelphia — which selected him 13th overall in 2010 — was important to him. So when general manager Howie Roseman came to Graham at the start of the season and asked him to consider coming back, Graham began to think about it.

“I said ‘nah, I ain’t ready yet,'” Graham said. “He ended up signing Za’Darius [Smith], and I had started praying about it … and he retired abruptly, and I just saw it as a sign.

“It was crazy, man. I don’t know what this is going to be. I don’t have no expectations. But I’m just gonna come and bring myself and bring the energy.”

Brandon Graham Is Healthy

We’ll find out this week if Graham will be able to play Sunday at home against the New York Giants. But his triceps is not an issue, at least according to him.

“Rehab was good,” Graham said. “Now it feels like a brand-new arm.”

Graham rushed back for the Super Bowl yet took his time — eight months — to recover and get healthy. He said injuring his triceps twice was a new experience and that coming back in just 2.5 months was a mistake — even though he doesn’t regret the decision to play.

“I guess I was just a little too early [coming back],” Graham said. “I’m still thankful I was able to get into that Super Bowl. I wouldn’t have changed it, even knowing there was a possibility I could’ve [gotten injured again]. I just wanted to be a part of it.”

Jets Making Right Decision With Jermaine Johnson

With the 2025 National Football League trade deadline almost here, there has been so much noise around the New York Jets.

The Jets are obviously 0-7 at this point and therefore have been talked about as if they will be sellers ahead of the Nov. 4th trade deadline. A handful of guys have popped up in rumors with Breece Hall and Jermaine Johnson II being the most popular guys in speculation.

While this is the case, it was made clear on Thursday that New York will not be trading Johnson. The former Pro Bowler posted a GIF on Wednesday saying "I'm not leavin.'" On Thursday, he was asked about his message and shared that he spoke to the Jets' front office and they are on the same page: he isn't leaving, per ESPN's Rich Cimini.

"New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, the subject of trade speculation, doesn't expect to go anywhere," Cimini said. "Johnson said Thursday that he received 'clarity' from the front office. 'I'm definitely wanted here, and I want to stay here,' he told ESPN. 'That's been understood. Hence the tweet.'"

The Jets are doing the right thing

This is the right decision. Johnson is 26 years old and has a cap hit just over $4 million this year and just over $13 million next year. That's extremely affordable for a guy his age and with his talent. He was a Pro Bowler back in 2023 but unfortunately couldn't follow it up in 2024 because he played just two games due to an Achilles injury. This season, he has played in just four of the Jets' seven games but every time he's been on the field, it's clear that he's one of the top defenders out there.

The Jets have a young team. There are just four guys on the active roster 30 years old or older. There are going to be growing pains through this rebuild -- as shown through the first seven games of the season -- but having someone like Johnson who is already a star will help to ultimately expedite the process.

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